Background

Matthew Elias, MD, is an attending cardiologist in the Cardiac Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He received his MD at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where he is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics.

With a focus on general pediatric cardiology, Dr. Elias sees patients ranging from newborns to young adults with a wide variety of congenital and acquired heart conditions. "Every patient is different and I approach each individually," he says. "I am extremely invested in their health and place great value on effective communication, honesty, and teamwork."

Dr. Elias explained that while treating children with serious heart conditions is incredibly demanding, it often comes with great rewards. "I find myself having quite serious discussions with families, and I can only imagine the stress they encounter. However, nothing is better, as a doctor and a parent myself, when I see great outcomes with my patients – running around in our office and just being kids. Those moments of laughter and smiles are what I look forward to the most."

Looking even further into the future, Dr. Elias sees rapid changes in his field. "Pediatric cardiology is still in its infancy. We are continually exploring new interventional, surgical and medical treatments to better treat and manage patients." Key to this evolution is capitalizing on the significant data that is being gathered on a daily basis.

In summarizing his work, Dr. Elias stressed the importance of not letting his patients’ heart conditions define them. "The ultimate goal is for them to live their normal lives, and I’ll be there as the safety net."

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Residency

Pediatrics - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Fellowship

Pediatric Cardiology - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Board Certification

General Pediatrics
Pediatric Cardiology

Titles and Academic Titles

Attending Cardiologist

Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Departments and Services

Publications

Papers

2019

Achuff BJ, Elias MD, Ittenbach RF, Ravishankar C, Nicolson SC, Spray TL, Fuller S, Gaynor JW, O’Connor MJ. Risk factors for mortality in paediatric cardiac ICU patients managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Cardiology in the Young. 2019;29(1):40-7. 

2017

Elias MD, Meza J, McCrindle BW, Brothers J, Paridon S, Cohen MS. Effects of exercise restriction on patients with anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery. World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery. 2017;8(1):18-24.

Elias MD, Achuff BJ, Ittenbach RF, Ravishankar C, Spray TL, Fuller S, Montenegro LM, Gaynor JW, O’Connor MJ. Long-term outcomes of pediatric cardiac patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.  Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. 2017;18(8):787-94.

Meza JM, Elias M, Wilder TJ, O'Brien JE, Kim RW, Mavroudis C, Williams WG, Brothers J, Cohen MS, McCrindle BW, for the Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society. Exercise restriction is not associated with increasing body mass index over time in patients with anomalous aortic origin of the coronary arteries. Cardiology in the Young. 2017;27(8):1538-44. 

Elias MD, Glatz AC, O’Connor MJ, Schachtner S, Ravishankar C, Mascio CE, Cohen MS. Prevalence and risk factors for pericardial effusions requiring readmission after pediatric cardiac surgery. Pediatric Cardiology. 2017;38(3):484-94. 

2014

Elias MD, Iyer VR, Cohen MS. Prevalence of electrocardiogram use in infants with apparent life-threatening events: a multicenter database study. Pediatric Emergency Care. 2014;30(4):236-9.

Elias MD, Narula S, Chu AS. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis following meningoencephalitis: case report and literature review. Pediatric Emergency Care. 2014;30(4):254-6.

2013

Quartermain MD, Glatz AC, Goldberg DJ, Cohen MS, Elias MD, Tian Z, Rychik J. Pulmonary outflow tract obstruction in fetuses with complex congenital heart disease: predicting the need for neonatal intervention. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2013;41(1):47-53.

2012

O’Connor MJ, Elias MD, Cohen MS, Quartermain MD. Outcomes of infants undergoing superior cavopulmonary connection in the presence of ventricular dysfunction. Pediatric Cardiology. 2012;33(4):547-53.

2010

Poliak N, Elias M, Cianferoni A, Treat J. Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: the first pediatric case caused by a contrast agent. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2010;105(3):242-3.

Posters and Presentations

2018

Chang J, White BR, Elias M, Xiao R, Knight A, Weiss, P, Mercer-Rosa L. Impact of pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus on echocardiographic measures of diastolic function at diagnosis. Poster presentation at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Chicago, Illinois, November 10-12, 2018. (Poster presented by Dr. Chang.)

Chang JC, White BR, Elias MD, Xiao R, Knight AM, Weiss PF, Mercer-Rosa LM. Early signs of diastolic impairment in children with incident systemic lupus erythematosus. Poster presentation at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, October 19-24, 2018. (Poster presented by Dr. Chang.)

2016

Meza JM, Elias M, Wilder T, O’Brien JE, Kim RW, Mavroudis C, Williams WG, Brothers J, Cohen M, McCrindle BW. Exercise restriction is not associated with increasing body mass index over time in patients with coronary arteries of anomalous aortic origin: A report from the CHSS AAOCA registry. Poster presentation at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, May 14-18, 2016. (Poster presented by Dr. Meza.)

Elias MD, Achuff BJ, Ittenbach RF, Ravishankar C, Spray TL, Fuller S, Montenegro LM, Gaynor JW, O’Connor MJ. Long-term outcomes of pediatric cardiac patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Poster presentation at the American College of Cardiology 65th Annual Scientific Session, Chicago, Illinois, April 2-4, 2016. 

Elias MD, Glatz AC, O’Connor MJ, Schachtner S, Ravishankar C, Mascio CE, Cohen MS. Prevalence and risk factors for pericardial effusion requiring readmission after pediatric cardiac surgery. Poster presentation at the American College of Cardiology 65th Annual Scientific Session, Chicago, Illinois, April 2-4, 2016. 

Achuff BJ, Elias MD, O’Connor MJ, Ittenbach RF, Ravishankar C, Nicolson SC, Spray TL, Fuller S, Gaynor JW. Risk factors for mortality in pediatric cardiac intensive care unit patients managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a contemporary cohort. Poster presentation at the American College of Cardiology 65th Annual Scientific Session, Chicago, Illinois, April 2-4, 2016. (Poster presented by Dr. Achuff.)

Elias MD, Meza J, McCrindle BW, Brothers J, Paridon S, Cohen MS. Impact of exercise restriction in patients with anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery on body mass index and exercise capacity. Poster presentation at Cardiology 2016, Orlando, Florida, February 24-28, 2016.

Lectures by Invitation

2019

Elias MD. Pediatric Cardiology Lecture Series, Lancaster General Health Family Medicine Residency Program. 2019.

2018

Elias MD. Pediatric Cardiology Lecture Series, Lancaster General Health Family Medicine Residency Program. 2018.

Elias MD. Kawasaki disease: Clinical update and pathway overview. Abington Hospital Pediatric Grand Rounds, June 26, 2018.

Elias MD. Pediatric chest pain: When is the heart the cause of the problem? Chester County Hospital Pediatric Grand Rounds, January 18, 2018.

2017

Elias MD. Pediatric Cardiology Lecture Series, Residency Morning Report, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Elias MD. Pediatric Cardiology Lecture Series, Lancaster General Health Family Medicine Residency Program. 2017.

Elias MD. Pediatric chest pain: When is the heart the cause of the problem? Lancaster Continuing Medical Education lecture, December 2, 2017.

Elias MD. Kawasaki disease: Clinical update and pathway overview. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Community Hospitalist Grand Rounds Series, November 30, 2017.

Elias MD. Evaluation and management of pediatric supraventricular tachycardia. Chester County Hospital Pediatric Grand Rounds, April 20, 2017.

2016

Elias MD. Pediatric Cardiology Lecture Series, Lancaster General Health Family Medicine Residency Program. 2016.

Elias MD. Pre-participation sports screening: preventing sudden cardiac death. Lancaster Continuing Medical Education lecture, November 15, 2016.

Elias MD. Pre-participation sports screening: preventing sudden cardiac death. Lehigh Valley Hospital Pediatric Grand Rounds, September 13, 2016.

Elias MD. Acute management of pediatric heart disease. General Pediatrics Residency, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, June 16, 2016.

Awards and Honors

2015, Ann Newman Fellow – The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2012, Trainee Travel Award, Eastern Society for Pediatric Research
2011, Pediatric Resident Representative for the Organization of Resident Representatives of the Association of American Medical Colleges
2006, Phi Beta Kappa Society induction – Princeton University
2006, Sigma Xi Research Society induction – Princeton University
2005, Howard Crosby Warren Junior Prize in Psychology – Princeton University   
2003, Shapiro Prize for Academic Excellence – Princeton University       
2003, Jewish War Veterans Academic Achievement Award – Philadelphia, PA

Editorial and Academic Positions

Editorial Positions

2017-present, World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, Peer-reviewer
2015-present, Pediatric Emergency Care, Peer-reviewer