Pediheart Podcast #377: Rethinking Critical Congenital Cardiac Care With Professor David Winlaw

·31 min·3 clips

If we're such a great team, why does CICU and cardiac surgery always seem to be butting heads?

This episode features a recorded lecture by Dr. David Winlaw, introduced by Dr. Jonathan Chen at the CHOP 2026 meeting in Phoenix. Dr. Winlaw, a pediatric cardiovascular surgeon at Lurie Children's Hospital, explores the relationship between cardiac surgery and critical care units. He begins by acknowledging the importance of teamwork but immediately challenges it with a question about persistent conflicts between CICU and surgery teams. Winlaw draws from his global experience, including training in Birmingham and work in Sydney, to illustrate systemic issues. He references historical models like Great Ormond Street's collaboration with Ferrari and McLaren, emphasizing role delineation and data use. The lecture details how ICU attendings are overloaded with tasks, spending only half their time on direct patient care, leading to burnout. Winlaw critiques current employment structures, where attendings work intense shifts followed by long breaks, comparing it to military engagements. He also addresses surgeon perspectives, noting frustrations over patient handovers and misaligned responsibilities. Solutions proposed include organizational restructuring, increased staffing, technology like AI for documentation, and specialization within ICUs. Winlaw suggests increasing workdays but reducing shift lengths to improve continuity and joy. The episode ends with host Dr. Robert Kass thanking the organizers and playing an operatic piece, maintaining the show's educational tone throughout.

As heard by us

A candid look at how CICU care has grown more complex and more crowded.

Pediheart's 377th episode follows a lecture by Dr. David Winlaw, introduced by Dr. Jonathan Chen, and treats congenital heart surgery and critical cardiology as a clear view into the modern CICU.

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Why you'd press play

For when you want the modern CICU's work, conflict, and pressure in one lecture replay.

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Play clips from this episode More from Pediheart: Pediatric Cardiology Today