Dear Colleagues,
In recent decades, we have witnessed extraordinary progress both in the field of congenital heart diseases and of cardiomyopathies. These advances are largely driven by early cardiac surgery and interventional procedures, currently performed in very young patients, as well as exciting improvements in diagnostic tools, from advanced imaging to genetics. Tailored, disease-modifying therapies are on the horizon.
Nevertheless, heart failure in children and adolescents remains largely uncharted territory in cardiovascular medicine. Research initiatives in pediatric cohorts are limited, and management is often based on a one-size-fits-all adaptation of adult guidelines. Conversely, an age-specific and evidence-based approach is sorely needed. A more comprehensive approach to the problem will require multidisciplinary, concerted efforts, uniting the two most prominent areas in pediatric heart failure: congenital heart disease and genetic cardiomyopathies.
This symposium has been designed to gather international experts from these two different but complementary perspectives and promote constant interaction with the audience. We hope that the synergy of such rich and diverse areas of expertise will help advance the field and improve the outlook of our youngest patients.
Welcome to Florence!
The Course Directors