Robert Elder

Dr. Robert Elder is an Associate Professor at Yale School of Medicine, affiliated with the Departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine (Cardiology). He serves as the Director of the Adult Congenital Heart Program and the Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program, providing comprehensive care for congenital heart disease patients across all life stages. His clinical focus integrates pediatric and adult cardiology, emphasizing seamless transitions for patients with lifelong cardiac conditions.

Education includes an MD from the University of Connecticut (2005), residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2009), pediatric cardiology fellowship at Columbia University (2012), and advanced training in adult congenital heart disease at Emory University (2013). Dr. Elder is quadruple board-certified in internal medicine, pediatrics, pediatric cardiology, and adult congenital heart disease.

His research examines long-term outcomes in congenital heart disease, particularly Fontan procedure complications, cardiac imaging innovations, and systemic impacts of single-ventricle physiology. Key investigations include hepatic sequelae of Fontan circulation, arrhythmia risks in genetic syndromes (e.g., Williams, Noonan), and vaccine responses in cardiothoracic surgery patients. Recent work also explores:

• Cardio-obstetric care models for high-risk pregnancies
• AI-enhanced prediction models for Fontan failure
• Robotic surgical interventions for complex anatomies

Publications demonstrate consistent focus on optimizing lifelong care through:

• Multicenter studies on Fontan surveillance protocols
• Novel hemodynamic assessment methodologies
• Genetic determinants of congenital heart outcomes

Awards include the Mae Gailani Award for Clinical Excellence (2017). Leadership roles encompass fellowship program development and national research collaborations through the Adult Congenital Heart Association. His laboratory focuses on non-invasive biomarkers for Fontan-associated liver disease and leads the Yale Fontan Translational Research Initiative.