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Michael Ralston, MD

expertise

cardiac arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy

bio

Michael Ralston, MD is a pediatric cardiologist at Dayton Children's Hospital. Dr. Ralston was born and raised in Springboro, Ohio and graduated Valedictorian of his high school class. He attended The Ohio State University College of Medicine where he completed his medical education and received honors in physiology and radiology. Following college, he spent his internship and residency at Columbus Children's Hospital (now renamed Nationwide Children's Hospital). He completed his fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology at  Cincinnati Children's Hospital. After  his fellowship, Dr. Ralston became a pediatric cardiologist at Dayton Children's because he knew Dayton would be a great place to raise a family. Dr. Ralston is board certified in both pediatrics and pediatric cardiology. He has a special interest in myocardial imaging and caring for children with congenital heart disease and arrhythmias. When asked why he chose to specialize in pediatric cardiology he said it was because of the tremendous impact he can make on a child's life who has congenital heart disease. One of his favorite things about working with children is their love of life is infectious. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Ralston enjoys collecting quotes, running and soccer.

 

 

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Scheduling in-person appointments for new patients only. For follow-up, second opinion or video visit appointments, please call 937-641-4000

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education and training

  • medical school: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
  • residency: Columbus Children's Hospital, pediatrics
  • fellowship: Cincinnati Children's Hospital, pediatric cardiology
  • internship: Columbus Children's Hospital
  • board certification: Pediatrics and pediatric cardiology

publications and presentations

publications

  • Lewin M and Ralston M (reviewers); Pickoff AS (section editor); Hannaman RA (editor).Cardiology. Pediatrics Review Core Curriculum 2015;7(ed);Chapter 12:1-44.
  • Lewin M and Ralston M (reviewers); Pickoff AS (section editor); Hannaman RA (editor).Cardiology. Pediatrics Review Core Curriculum 2014;6(ed);Chapter 12:1-42.
  • Ralston MA. Images in pediatrics: bradycardia in a child. Pediatric Forum 2009;21:3-4.
  • Abdurrahman L, Bockoven JR, Pickoff AS, Ralston MA, Ross JE. Pediatric cardiology update: office-based practice of pediatric cardiology for the primary care provider. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care 2003;33:313-352.
  • Bissler JJ, Tsoras M, Goring HHH, Hug P, Chuck G, Tombragel E, McGraw C, Schlotman J, Ralston MA, Hug G. Infantile dilated X-linked cardiomyopathy, G4.5 mutations, altered lipids, and ultrastructural malformations of mitochondria in heart, liver, and skeletal muscle. Laboratory Investigation 2002;82:335-344.
  • Lim DS, Ralston MA. Echocardiographic indices of Doppler flow patterns compared with MRI or angiographic measurements to detect significant coarctation of the aorta. Echocardiography 2002;19:55-60.
  • Kimball TR, Ralston M, Khoury P, Crump R, Cho F, Reuter JH. The effect of ligation of the patent ductus arteriosus on the left ventricular performance and its determinants in premature neonates. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1996;27:193-197.
  • Ralston MA, Knilans TK, Hannon DW, Daniels SR. The use of adenosine for diagnosis and treatment of tachyarrhythmias in pediatric patients. Journal of Pediatrics 1994;124:139-143.
  • Koenig PR, Ralston MA, Kimball TR, Meyer RA, Daniels SSR, Schwartz DC. Balloon atrial septostomy for left ventricular decompression in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for myocardial failure. Journal of Pediatrics 1993;122:S95-99.
  • Ralston MA, Merola AJ, Leier CV. Depressed aerobic enzyme activity of skeletal muscle in severe chronic heart failure. The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine 1991;117:370-372.
  • Ralston MA, Murnane MR, Unverferth DV, Leier CV. Serum and tissue magnesium concentrations in patients with heart failure and serious ventricular arrhythmias. Annals of Internal Medicine 1990;113:841-846.
  • Ralston MA, Murnane MR, Kelley RE, Altschuld RA, Unverferth DV, Leier CV. Magnesium content of serum, circulating mononuclear cells, skeletal muscle, and myocardium in congestive heart failure. Circulation 1989;80:573-580.
  • Ralston MA, Ralston JT, Teske DW. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection: a twenty-five year experience. Pediatric Reviews and Communications 1989;3:227-234.
  • Ralston MA, Teske DW. Complete absence of pulmonary veins. Clinical Cardiology 1988;11:272-275.

presentations

  • Supraventricular Tachycardia. Grand Rounds, Dayton Children's Hospital, Dayton, Ohio February 2016.
  • Cardiac MRI (CMR) - flow analysis. Invited speaker to Radiology Conference, Dayton Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio March 2011.
  • Cardiac MRI (CMR) - ventricular funcation. Invited speaker to Radiology Conference, Dayton Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio August 2010.
  • Syncope in Children. Grand Rounds, Reid Hospital and Health Care System, Richmond, Indiana April 2010.
  • Cardiac MRI (CMR) - anatomy. Invited speaker to Radiology Conference, Dayton Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio March 2010.
  • Cardiac MRI (CMR) - introduction. Invited speaker to Radiology Conference, Dayton Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio December 2009.
  • The Evaluation of Syncope. Grand Rounds, Dayton Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio May 2008.
  • Pediatric Cardiology for EMS. Spring 2005 EMS Symposium, Dayton Heart Hospital, Dayton, Ohio May 2005.
  • I, Robot: an analysis of computer-aided ECG interpretation. Presented at the annual meeting of Ohio Doctors Interested in Congenital Heart Disease, Dayton, Ohio May 2005.
  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease: Tetralogy of Fallot. Cardiology Rounds, Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton, Ohio February 2003.
  • Congenital Heart Disease: Circle of Presidents' Breakfast, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio March 2002.
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support Science Update. Grand Rounds, Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio February 2002.
  • Hemodynamic Calculations Using Cardiac Cine MRI in Pediatric Patients. Award-winning poster presentation at the American Ostepathic College of Radiology annual meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada October 2001.
  • Arrhythmias in infants and Children. Grand Rounds, Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio September 1998.
  • Doppler Flow Patterns Compared with MRI or Invasice Pressure Measurements to Detect Significant Coarctation of the Aorta. Section on Cardiology, American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana November 1997.
  • Cardiovascular Disease in the 5p Minus Syndrome. 5p Minus Society Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, Ohio August 1997.
  • Comparision of Midazolam to Chloral Hydrate in the Sedation of Children for Echocardiography. Presented at the annual meeting of Ohio Doctors Interested in Congenital Heart Disease, Cincinnati, Ohio May 1997.
  • Work-up of the Child with a Syncopal Episode. Pediatric Summerfest, 8th annual, King's Island, Ohio July 1995.
  • Adenosine for the Treatment of Tachyarrhythmias in Children. Audio recording for Medical Outlook, Volume 1, number 2, March 1995.
  • Three Forms of Carnitine Palmitoyl Transferase (CPT) II Deficiency. European Society for Pediatric Research, Zurich, Switzerland September 1991.
  • Unusual Causes of Pericardial Effusions. Presented at the annual meeting of Ohio Doctors Interested in Congenital Heart Disease, Toledo, Ohio May 1990.
  • Magnesium: A Determinant of Ventricular Arrhythmias in Heart Failure? American Heart ASsociation, 62nd Scientific Session, New Orleans, Louisiana November 1989.
  • Magnesium in Heart Failure. Cardiovascular Research Seminar for the Division of Cardiology, The Ohio State University April 1989.
  • Takayasu's Arteritis. Presented at Children's Hospital Research Symposium, Columbus, Ohio June 1987.
  • Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection. Award-winning presentation at Children's Hospital Research Symposium, Columbus, Ohio June 1986.
  • Takayasu's Arteritis in Children. Presented at the annual meeting of Ohio Doctors Interested in Congenital Heart Disease, Akron, Ohio April 1986.
  • Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection: a review of 73 cases. Presented at the annual meeting of Ohio Doctors Interested in Congenital Heart Disease, Dayton, Ohio April 1985.

awards, honors and organizations

  • Alan D. Shafer, MD, Distinguished Service Award: Honorees are role models to their peers, significant contributors to the community, and provide exceptional pediatric care to their patients. Dayton Children's Hospital, 2013.
  • Named as one of America's Top Pediatricians in "Guide to America's Top Pediatricians" by Consumers' Research Council of America, 2002-2003, 2004-2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 editions

 

ratings and reviews

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5

 

30 comments

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Comments

star star star star star

DR. RALSTON was excellent, and he really listened to how my daughter was feeling. He explained things very well. He followed up and called to let us know about her test results.

star star star star star

As a first time mom, it was terrifying being told my 4 day old had a heart murmur at his newborn checkup appointment. We then were told we needed to be seen by a cardiologist at Dayton Children's in the next 24 hours. While I was clearly upset and scared, my physician informed me Dr. Ralston said my husband and I could come straight down immediately. Within a couple of hours we were told my little boys condition and assured it was not severe and that it is very common. He talked me through my tears and concerns and did not leave our appointment until my Husband and I felt as much relief as possible. We can't thank Dr. Ralston enough for the swift care of our son and us as well!

star star star star star

Dr. Ralston is an amazing and wonderful doctor. He as well as the cardiology team have seen my daughter since the day she was born. She is now 24 and doing great thanks to Dr. Ralston and all of the Cardiology team.

star star star star star

Dr Ralston is the best doctor

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