For decades, Texas Children’s Hospital has helped children born with congenital heart disease (CHD) live longer, healthier lives by revolutionizing the way these conditions are diagnosed and treated. Today, there are more adults living with CHD than children, and they all need the same level of specialized care that they received during childhood. 

Adult congenital heart disease encompasses a range of abnormalities, from minor murmurs to complex malformations. Holes in the heart walls, narrowed valves, and misplaced vessels orchestrate an atypical flow of blood, sometimes impacting its oxygen delivery, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, and arrhythmias.

For many patients, their journey began in childhood, marked by surgeries and therapies. While some ACHD individuals lead relatively symptom-free lives, others face ongoing challenges, navigating a labyrinth of specialist appointments and potential complications well into adulthood. Most ACHD patients will need to be screened once every 2 years.

That's why specialists who meet with patients must recognize the unique nature of each patient's full heart history, from childhood to adulthood. For people with CHD, childhood might end, but the need for specialized cardiology doesn't.

Texas Children's multidisciplinary team of specialists are trained in both pediatric and adult congenital heart disease. They work closely with patients on a wide spectrum of challenges that CHD patients face throughout their lives - from medication and health insurance to medical issues, exercise options and family planning. 

Pregnancy poses a complex challenge for women with heart defects, but specialized care throughout their journey can help avoid complications and protect both mom and child. The risks women face during pregnancy with a heart defect depend on what type they have, how well their heart is functioning, and any existing complications like arrhythmia or heart failure. Sometimes, pre-pregnancy procedures or medication adjustments can lower the associated risks. To navigate this safely, a woman's first move should be a consultation with an adult congenital cardiologist to help keep their heart in tip-top shape for motherhood.

Since 2004, Texas Children's Hospital has been a pioneer in providing specialized care for adults with congenital heart disease through its Adult Congenital Heart Program. Aging out of pediatrics doesn't mean your heart condition does. However many adult cardiologists focus on acquired, not congenital, heart diseas, leaving adults with CHD in limbo. In 2020, the program took a groundbreaking step by opening the first-of-its-kind dedicated ACHD facility. 

This 27,000-square-foot facility is a comprehensive destination for all ACHD patients' needs, housing a team of expert cardiologists, hospitalists, surgeons, physical and occupational therapists, and nurses, all specializing in adult congenital heart conditions. Patients are seamlessly guided through their appointments, with easy access to on-site echocardiography rooms and a diagnostics lab available for any necessary testing. 

For patients requiring hospitalization, the facility boasts a 16-bed inpatient unit equipped with "universal care beds" that enable a smooth transition from intensive to acute care. Another unique feature is the cardiac rehab gym, specially designed for the ACHD population and conveniently located near the patient clinic and family lounge.

To date, the Adult Congenital Heart Program at Texas Children's has treated over 12,000 adults, seen over 4,000 patients, and performed over 100 operations annually, including transplants and ventricular assist device implantations, with an impressive 98% survival rate after surgery. As the biggest and oldest accredited ACHD program in Texas and surrounding states, Texas Children's Heart Center stands as a beacon of hope and excellence.

To learn more, visit the Texas Children's Adult Congenital Heart Program website.