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The Adult Congenital Heart Program offers identification and management of congenital heart disease. Patients who are seen by a pediatric cardiologist will transition to our team’s care during young adulthood. Nearly all patients need follow-up throughout adult life. Some may eventually need additional surgery to correct complications that arise over time.
Most will need guidance on how their heart condition affects the important milestones of adulthood, such as employment, pregnancy, physical activity, as well as management of hypertension and cholesterol. Therapy may include medication, interventional cardiology or surgery. Some developing concerns with this population may include new rhythm disturbances, heart failure and possible need of a pacemaker.
There are 1.3 million Americans alive today with some form of congenital heart disease, about half of which are below the age of twenty-five. It is important that the very best care is available for adults with congenital heart defects. Given the complexity of these heart defects and their implications, we strive to offer the very best care with physicians and staff in centers which have specialized training and a focus on adult congenital heart disease.
Routine follow up allows prevention, early identification, and appropriate management of these problems. The Adult Congenital Heart Clinic (also located at Primary Children’s Medical Center) was created to meet the medical and surgical needs of this unique and complex population of adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease. The director of the ACHC service is Anji T. Yetman, MD. She is joined by Nancy M. Veit, FNP-BC, as a member of the ACHC team. They promote the needs of the patient, including delivery of optimal care and education.