Charles E. Mullins, MD, MSCAI, a pioneer of pediatric interventional cardiology, passed away on November 17, 2024. With a career spanning five decades, Dr. Mullins left an indelible mark on the interventional cardiology specialty.  

“Dr. Mullins was widely recognized as the ‘father of modern interventional pediatric cardiology,’ with a distinguished career marked by numerous groundbreaking contributions. He was a dedicated educator and mentor for many in the interventional cardiology field,” said SCAI President James B. Hermiller, MD, MSCAI. “A valued member of SCAI, Dr. Mullins was the first pediatric interventional cardiologist to attend the SCAI annual conference, in 1987, and encouraged many pediatric interventionists to join. Established in 2009, the Mullins Lecture is a prestigious keynote address delivered annually at SCAI Scientific Sessions. The SCAI community mourns his passing and celebrates his many accomplishments and innovations.” 

Dr. Mullins’ work in cardiac catheterization revolutionized the field, transforming it from a diagnostic procedure to an interventional technique that could repair heart defects. He pioneered the use of endovascular stents to treat congenital heart disease, a practice that has since become a standard. His innovations, such as the Mullins sheath for transseptal punctures, have set standards for prograde access to the left heart and for stent implantation. His post-stent management protocols were adopted worldwide. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Mullins was a dedicated educator and mentor who worked to establish fellowship training in pediatric interventional cardiology in the 1980s. He trained more than 150 pediatric cardiology fellows, many of whom have gone on to lead pediatric cath labs and cardiology divisions around the world. His teachings and techniques continue to influence the field, with many of his former fellows adopting his methods and mannerisms into their practice.  

"We remember Dr. Mullins as an unparalleled mentor and teacher, a highly respected colleague, and a loyal friend to many. His legacy will continue among those of us who were touched by his presence, teachings, wisdom, and, most importantly, his mentorship and friendship. Dr. Mullins will be deeply missed but never forgotten,” said Frank Ing, MD, MSCAI. 

Dr. Mullins was a prolific author, contributing over 200 publications to peer-reviewed journals and writing two seminal books on congenital heart disease and cardiac catheterization. In 2021, Dr. Mullins was the recipient of the first SCAI Helping Little Hearts Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Dr. Mullins was born in Washington, DC, and graduated from Princeton University and The George Washington University Medical School. He completed residency training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and would reach the rank of Lieutenant Colonial in the U.S. Army, where he was its first pediatric cardiologist. In 2003, the cardiac catheterization laboratories at Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, were dedicated: “The Charles E. Mullins, MD, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories.”  

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Arlene, sons Charles Jr. and Bob, daughter Sandie, four grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.