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Cardiac disease has emerged as a leading cause of mortality in Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the current era. This survey sought to identify the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to DMD among pediatric cardiologists in Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network. Pediatric cardiology providers within ACTION (a multi-center pediatric heart failure learning network) were surveyed regarding their approaches to cardiac care in DMD. Thirty-one providers from 23 centers responded. Cardiac MRI and Holter monitoring are routinely obtained, but the frequency of use and indications for ordering these tests varied widely. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and aldosterone antagonist are generally initiated prior to onset of systolic dysfunction, while the indications for initiating beta-blocker therapy vary more widely. Seventeen (55%) providers report their center has placed an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in at least 1 DMD patient, while 11 providers (35%) would not place an ICD for primary prevention in a DMD patient. Twenty-three providers (74%) would consider placement of a ventricular assist device (VAD) as destination therapy (n = 23, 74%) and three providers (10%) would consider a VAD only as bridge to transplant. Five providers (16%) would not consider VAD at their institution. Cardiac diagnostic and therapeutic approaches vary among ACTION centers, with notable variation present regarding the use of advanced therapies (ICD and VAD). The network is currently working to harmonize medical practices and optimize clinical care in an era of rapidly evolving outcomes and cardiac/skeletal muscle therapies.

The objective of this study was to describe a cohort of patients with clinical myocarditis and normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function on admission. A retrospective chart review at seven tertiary pediatric hospitals identified patients aged

The online version of the original article can be found underdoi:10.1007/s00246-012-0391-8.A. Lowenthal A. Lal E. S. Selamet Tierney T. A. Tacy (&)Echocardiography Laboratory, Division of Pediatric Cardiology,Department of Pediatrics, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital,Stanford University, 750 Welch Road, Suite # 325, Palo Alto,CA 94304, USAe-mail: tatacy@stanford.edu