ISHLT 2014: thoracic transplant and ventricular assist devices in children—highlights of interest

The 2014 Scientific Sessions of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) were held in San Diego, California, from April 10th to 13th 2014. We would like to present a meeting summary of relevant studies and sessions dealing with children in thoracic transplantation [heart transplantation (HTx) or lung transplantation (LuTx)] and mechanical circulatory support (MCS). This year there have been 1,537 abstracts submitted to the ISHLT; 995 (65%) have been accepted. There were three pre-meeting symposia, one sunrise symposia, five concurrent sessions and one mini-oral session involving the Pediatric Council of the ISHLT.