Heart of the Valley Pediatric Cardiology

Another; https://www.nytimes.com//when-the-doctor-is-a-covid-long-h

As predicted, the stories of post-COVID dysautonomia and MCAS are pouring in. https://www.nytimes.com//coronavirus-symptoms-kids-childre

https://www.aappublications.org//covid19sportsguidance0918

One hundred years ago Alice McLellan Birney said, Let us have no more croaking as to what cannot be done; let us see what can be done, and above all see that it is done. Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson Hearst, and Selena Sloan Butler knew there was no stronger bond than that between mother and child. To the mothers, then, they reasoned, must fall the responsibility for eliminating the threats that endangered the children. They called for action, and people responded ... mothers, yes, but also fathers, teachers, laborers, and legislators all with a commitment to children. Today, we celebrate the efforts of all Americans who rise up to ensure no one is exploited and all can enjoy safe and fair labor. Heart of The Valley Pediatric Cardiology would like to wish you and your family a Happy and meaningful Labor Day #DrMaxwell #topdoctor #pediatriccardiology #fetalechocardiography #heart See more

Happy Birthday Dr. Maxwell.This has been an unprecedented and challenging year but we know we can always count on you. You did it again! Congratulations on being recognized by your peers once again as a Top Doc 2020! #pediatriccardiology #pediatrics #cardiologist #fetalechocardiography #topdoctor #dysautonomia #potssyndrome #mastcellactivationsyndrome

Finally the terms Post-COVID syndrome (COVID Long Haulers), dysautonomia, mast cell activation syndrome, and even Ehlers Danlos are mentioned together in mainstream media. I'm sure we will see more of this coming. https://www.theatlantic.com//long-haulers-covid-19/615382/

COVID Long-Haulers: We have this idea that people get it, and they get through it, and they’re back to normal and that’s probably true for the majority of cases. But a significant minority may have some persistent symptoms, said Dr. David Carr, a professor of geriatrics and neurology at Washington University School of Medicine. Washington University is planning to open a post-COVID clinic within the next month to care and study such patients.... Researchers are starting to hypothesize that COVID-19 rather than a respiratory infection may actually be a blood vessel infection that can start in the lungs and then lead to the heart, kidneys, intestinal tract and brain. Everyone is still dancing around the term that several of us doctors already recognize is going on in these patients as we already have clinics full of such patients from other causes including post-viral syndromes (EBV being most notable). What appears to be happening is called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and it leads to dysautonomia with gastrointestinal dysmotility and even hypermobility syndromes, and later autoimmunity - what some of us now call The Pentad. I’ve yet to see it in pediatric patients but fully expect to in coming months and anticipate the unique presentations of The Pentad I see in kids - more dysautonomia- more hypermobility - and, for those under 9 years of age - more neuropsychiatric illness - something called pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). It will be interesting to see if all the strategies we use to manage MCAS will be protective early on minimizing Post-COVID MCAS and it’s subsequent syndromes.

It shouldn’t be long before the terms dysautonomia, POTS, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CSF) are commonly used and associated with post-COVID syndrome. Welcome to the world that my patients have been living in for years. Doctors, better brush up on these topics.

Doctors Andi and Andy Maxwell on the wedding day of the younger and namesake of the proud Uncle. Andi has a few more years to complete her MD and PhD at U Minnesota in neuroscience. A Mudfud in neuroscience might be exactly the right person to one day take over a dysautonomia practice and take the research torch even further. AND the name on the door would hardly need changing!... #magandang #babae

Welcome Jill to the Board.

I am very honored and pleased to join Svetlana Blitshteyn, MD and Michael B Goodkin, MD FACC on the Medical Advisory Board at Standing Up to POTS.

For anyone who does not know the legendary story of Vivien Thomas and his contribution to Pediatric Cardiology. #juneteenth https://www.washingtonian.com//the-remarkable-story-of-vi/

Proud of my cardiology hometown Brentwood, CA. This is how it’s done right

Seems that some patients with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome are finding their MCAS flares when wearing a mask. This is a problem looking for a solution posed to my larger group of MCAS doctors. I recommended taking the question back to the patients who found solutions. What masks have you found that don't aggravate your MCAS?

Happy Memorial Day! Thankful for every brave soldier who faithfully gave their everything, including their lives. #memorialday #brave #landofthefree #pediatriccardiology #pediatrics #DrMaxwellpleasanton