2025 International Pediatric Heart Failure and VAD Summit

Thursday, October 16, 2025, 8:00 AM - Friday, October 17, 2025, 12:30 PM, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI) Conference Center, Houston, TX


AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (10.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (10.00 hours)

This two-day conference will bring together leading experts and frontline clinicians—including pediatric cardiologists, intensivists, cardiac surgeons, nurse practitioners, and VAD coordinators—to explore the latest advancements in pediatric heart failure management and mechanical circulatory support. The program will feature:

• Expert-led sessions on emerging therapies and technologies related to cardiogenic shock, cardiomyopathies, cardio-renal syndrome, gene therapies, short-term mechanical circulatory support, miniature VADs, durable total artificial heart, and emerging therapies.

• Case-based discussions to share real-world insights

• Controversial Pro/Con debate

• Panel discussions with experienced clinicians

• Hands-on workshop prior to the conference designed to enhance clinical skills and interdisciplinary collaboration

• Session dedicated to nurses and VAD coordinators

• Abstract poster session and competition.

A special pre-conference event will take place on Wednesday, October 15th. The ACTION Network will host a one-day hands-on and didactic training session “ VAD Boot Camp” for clinicians seeking practical experience and education in VAD management. This optional session is an excellent opportunity for those interested in expanding their clinical skills. More information: https://www.actionlearningnetwork.org/event/vadbootcamp25/.

Collaborating institutions include Boston Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and Toronto Hospital for Sick Children.

1. Describe the unique etiologies, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations and identify treatment options of acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock in children.
2. Describe current and emerging VAD technologies, including device types, surgical techniques and complications.
3. Describe the role and benefits of newer medical therapies for heart failure (i.e., SGLT-2 inhibitors, IV iron replacement, cardiac contractility modulation, gene therapy).
4. Describe the mechanisms of myocardial recovery and regeneration and the methods of weaning from durable VAD support.

Texas Children’s Hospital is accredited by the Texas Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Texas Children’s Hospital designates this Live Activity activity for a maximum of 10.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations received in writing no less than 20 days before the course will be refunded, less a 20% administrative fee. No refunds will be made on cancellations received after that date. Please send cancellation requests to [email protected].

Texas Children's Hospital reserves the right to cancel or postpone this program if necessary; in the event of cancellation, course fees will be fully refunded. We are not responsible for other costs incurred such as non-refundable airline tickets or hotel penalties.

Accessibility Statement
 
Texas Children's Hospital is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.  If you have needs that require special accommodations, including dietary concerns, please contact the CME Conference Coordinator.

While there are many hotels near Texas Children's Hospital, a Texas Children’s preferred rate is available at the Intercontinental: Houston - Medical Center

Other hotels near the Summit venue include:

• Houston Marriott Medical Center/Museum District

• Hilton Houston Plaza/Medical Center

• Double Tree by Hilton Houston Medical Center & Suites

• The Westin Houston Medical Center/Museum District

• Hotel Zaza

• Blossom Hotel Houston

Texas Children's Hospital adheres to ACCME Criteria, Standards and Policies regarding industry support of continuing medical education. Disclosure of faculty and their commercial relationships will be made prior to the activity.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Texas Children's Hospital adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including Faculty, planners, reviewers, or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible company (commercial interests). All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Welcome to the 2025 International Pediatric Heart Failure and VAD Summit. Thank you for your interest in submitting an abstract for the summit. 

Abstract Submission Guidelines

• Abstracts are due on Friday, September 5, 2025 at midnight CT. No late submissions will be accepted.
• Abstracts will be accepted for poster presentation in one of four sections: (1) heart failure, (2) Ventricular Assist Device, (3) Cardiomyopathy,  and will be categorized as (1) basic science, (2) clinical science, and (3) quality improvement.
• The work covered by the abstract may have been presented at a national or international meeting, but must not have been published as a full-length publication.
  
• Abstraction notifications will be emailed by September 12, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. CT. 

Abstract Content

• Abstracts may have the following identifiable sections: Introduction, Methods, Results and Conclusion. These fields can be edited or deleted as appropriate for your abstract.
• Describe briefly the objectives of the study unless they are contained in the title. Include a brief statement of methods if pertinent. State findings in detail sufficient to support conclusions.
• Use generic drug names.
• Do not begin sentences with numerals.
• Standard abbreviations may be used without definition. Nonstandard abbreviations (kept to a minimum) must be placed in parentheses after the first use of the word or phrase abbreviated.
• Do not include references, credits, or grant support.
• Abstracts are limited to one page (word limit 300 words) using 1-inch margins, and 11-point font using Calibri text. The one page includes the abstract text plus 1 table or figure.
  

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