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Is it possible there could actually be a cure for congenital heart defects? If so, what might that cure look like? Who would be responsible for creating such a cure?

Welcome to our first Medical Monday mini-series for Heart Month 2023. In this episode, you'll revisit HeartWorks, a very special company that is changing the face of treatment for those born with single ventricle hearts, especially hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Dr. Timothy Nelson is the director of the Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for HLHS at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Nelson’s research work is focused on cardiovascular regeneration using bioengineered stem cells to improve the ability to discover, diagnose, and ultimately treat mechanisms of degenerative diseases. 

As director of the program, Dr. Nelson and his team are specifically interested in the cause of HLHS and finding ways to delay and prevent heart failure for individuals with HLHS. To better understand and treat this congenital heart disease, the program has taken a multifaceted approach that includes research into stem cells, genetics, imaging tools, and the creation of a biorepository. The program has launched clinical trials using autologous stem cells, also known as stem cells collected from an individual’s own body.

In June 2020, “HeartWorks” was created to accelerate and expand the product development undertaken by the program at the Mayo Clinic. Dr Nelson joins us today to talk about recent advancements in the treatment of HLHS. 

For more information about HeartWorks, visit their website - https://www.heartworksinc.org/.

Follow HeartWorks on Twitter - @webuildhearts.

Sheri Turner is our newest Defender Patron and she also serves as a HUG Volunteer. Thank you so much for your generosity and all you do, Sheri!

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