Faculty
Director, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
Julia Steinberger , MD, MS
Professor
612-626-2755
stein055@umn.edu
Bio
Varun Aggarwal is a compassionate physician, researcher, and educator dedicated to transforming the landscape of congenital cardiovascular care for children and adults. As an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Aggarwal brings a fervent commitment to improving the lives of individuals with congenital heart disease.
At the heart of his practice is a pioneering focus on minimally invasive transcatheter treatment options tailored specifically for those with congenital heart conditions. Dr. Aggarwal specializes in cutting-edge techniques that offer hope and healing to patients facing complex cardiac challenges from birth. His approach emphasizes precision and effectiveness, while minimizing the impact on delicate bodies, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for his patients.
Beyond the clinic, Dr. Aggarwal is a driving force in cardiovascular research, relentlessly pursuing advancements in congenital cardiac interventions. His work has been instrumental in refining minimally invasive therapies, pushing boundaries to deliver groundbreaking solutions that enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families. Dr. Aggarwal has more than 70 peer reviewed publications and has earned various awards at national and international level for his research.
Dr. Aggarwal's dedication extends to education, where he mentors the next generation of healthcare providers, instilling in them the values of empathy, innovation, and excellence. Through his leadership and collaboration, he empowers others to join the mission of revolutionizing congenital cardiovascular care.
Dr. Aggarwal also serves as the President and Editor-in-chief for The Congenital heart International Professionals (CHiP) Network (thechipnetwork.org), is the founding fellow of the Pediatric and congenital Interventional Cardiovascular Society (PICS). He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (JSCAI), Indian Pediatrics-Case reports, Frontiers in Nutrition, American Academy of Pediatrics PREP cardiology,
With boundless compassion and unwavering determination, Dr. Varun Aggarwal embodies the hope and healing that defines the future of congenital heart disease.
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric CardiologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric CardiologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Bio
Dr. Bass is a Professor of Pediatrics. Dr. Bass received his MD degree from the University of Mississippi Medical School. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at the University of Mississippi in Jackson and his fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Minnesota. He joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1979. He is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology.
Dr. Bass's clinical interests include interventional cardiology and echocardiography.
His research interest is in interventional cardiology. He participates in the development of the Amplatzer devices. These allow repair of heart lesions (patent ductus arteriosus, secundum atrial septal defects, patent foramen ovale, muscular and perimembranous ventricular septal defects) at cardiac catheterization instead of requiring cardiac surgery.
Clinical Summary
Echocardiography; Interventional cardiology; Kawasaki Disease
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric CardiologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Bio
Dr. Braunlin is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Director of the Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program. She received her MD from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Braunlin completed her residency in Pediatrics at The Children's Hospital Medical Center in Boston and a fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Braunlin completed her PhD in Physiology at the University of Minnesota. She joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1983. She is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology.
Dr. Braunlin's clinical interests are prevention and treatment of post transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) after cardiac transplantation; the long term cardiac follow-up of individuals with mucopolysaccharidoses after marrow transplantation or enzyme replacement therapy; and prevention and management of cardiac failure in individuals with various forms of muscular dystrophy.
Her basic research interest involves investigation by cardiac ultrasound and histopathology of murine models of mucopolysaccharidoses both before and after novel therapies aimed at correction.
Clinical Summary
Cardiac transplantation; Heart failure; Long-term care for mucopolysaccharidoses after marrow transplantation or enzyme therapy; Long-term care for mucopolysaccharidoses after marrow transplantation or enzyme therapy; Pediatric cardiology; Prevention and management of cardiac failure in patients with muscular dystrophy; Prevention and treatment of post transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD); Prevention and treatment of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric CardiologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Contact
Address
Pediatric CardiologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Bio
Dr. Gurumurthy Hiremath completed his pediatric cardiology training and a 4th year of interventional training at the University of California, San Francisco. He is currently the director of the congenital cardiac catheterization laboratories and cardiopulmonary exercise testing at the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Children’s Hospital and the associate division director for pediatric cardiology. His clinic interests include pulmonary artery stenting, transcatheter pulmonary valve placements, device closures of intracardiac defects, interventions in adults with congenital heart disease, and hybrid interventional procedures in partnership with cardiac surgeons.
Dr. Hiremath's research interests are focused on improving our understanding of the physiological effects of transcatheter interventions. He completed a prospective multi-center clinical study looking at the physiologic effects of successful treatment of unilateral pulmonary artery stenosis. He is actively involved in the use of intracardiac pressure-volume loops to understand the physiological effects of transcatheter interventions. He has several active research grants and has authored several publications and book chapters.
Dr. Hiremath is an active member of the interventional cardiology societies, with active roles in the SCAI’s Congenital Heart Disease Council, the Pediatric Interventional Cardiology Early Career Society (PICES), and the Pediatric Interventional Cardiology CPT coding group. He served as the Research Vice President of PICES (Pediatric Interventional Cardiology Early Career Society) from 2018–2020, where he planned, coordinated, and led several multicenter research projects under its auspices. He is actively involved with industry in developing new intracardiac devices and participates in several national device trials and registries. He has received several awards, including the University of Minnesota's 'Innovation in Clinical Practice Award’ for developing innovative treatments and industry partnerships to improve patient care.
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric CardiologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Bio
Dr. Erick Jimenez is a pediatric cardiac electrophysiologist affiliated to the University of Minnesota. As a cardiac electrophysiologist, he specializes in managing heart rhythm related conditions, ranging from palpitations to arrhythmias that can lead to sudden cardiac death. He performs catheter ablation for arrhythmias (electrophysiology study), and implantation of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric CardiologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric CardiologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Bio
Dr. Lohr is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology and serves as Medical Director of the Fairview Ridges Specialty Clinic for Children. She received her MD from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. Dr. Lohr completed a residency in Pediatrics and a Research Fellowship in Physiology and Pediatric Cardiology at Oregon Health Sciences University. She completed a fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology at the University Of Minnesota. Dr. Lohr joined the University Of Minnesota faculty in 1997. She is board certified in Pediatrics, Pediatric Cardiology, and Adult Congenital Heart Disease.
Research Summary
Using human induced pluripotent stem cells to model heart development and congenital cardiac disorders; neural crest, second heart field and cardiac development; genetic factors which influence long term outcomes in congenital heart disease.
Clinical Summary
Adolescents and young adults with heart disease; Cardiac genetics; Congenital heart disease; Echocardiography; General pediatric cardiology
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric CardiologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Bio
Dr. Narasimhan is an Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology. She received her MBBS from the PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Medical School in India. Dr. Narasimhan completed her internship at Christian Medical College and Hospital in India, a cardiothoracic surgery residency at GKNM Hospital in India and was in general practice in India at CSASS Medical Centre. Dr. Narasimhan completed a residency in Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota. She completed the first two years of her pediatric cardiology fellowship at College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York and returned to the University of Minnesota for the third year of her pediatric cardiology fellowship. Dr. Narasimhan joined the faculty of the University of Minnesota in 2004.
Dr. Narasimhan's clinical interest is imaging which includes transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography with emphasis on fetal echocardiography and cardiac MRI. Her research interest is designing a prospective study for fetal intervention such as valvar pulmonary stenosis, valvar aortic stenosis, and also to study the evolution of heart disease in utero during 2nd and 3rd trimester. She is working on analyzing the impact of early fetal diagnosis of congenital heart defect and post natal outcomes.
Clinical Summary
Children with congenital heart disease; Imaging (Fetal, Transthoracic, Transesophegeal) Echocardiogram; Fetal arrhythmia; Fetal diagnosis of congenital heart defect
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric CardiologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Bio
Dr. Peck is a pediatric cardiologist with expertise in fetal, transthoracic, and transesophageal echocardiography. His research interests include novel ultrasound technologies and rheumatic heart disease. He also enjoys teaching medical trainees and enhancing medical education.
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Selected Publications
Contact
Address
Pediatric CardiologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Research Summary
Dr. Peer has done extensive research on mechanical support of the single ventricle circulation both in an animal model and computer simulations. Dr. Peer is also interested in designing and developing pediatric cardiovascular medical devices. In collaboration with the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Washington, D.C., he is currently working on developing a pediatric chest compression device for use during extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR)
Clinical Summary
Dr. Peer's practice includes the entire spectrum of congenital heart surgeries from neonates to adult congenital heart disease. Dr. Peer’s clinical interests are early primary repair of congenital heart defects and surgical therapy for pediatric heart failure