Adult Congenital Heart Disease

At Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular, we understand that congenital heart disease is a lifelong journey. That’s why our Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program is designed to provide seamless medical and surgical care for individuals born with heart defects, from childhood through adulthood.

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Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) affects adults born with congenital heart defects (CHDs)—structural heart issues present at birth. Advances in treatment have allowed many individuals with CHDs to live longer, but they often still face ongoing health challenges, such as heart rhythm issues, heart failure and a higher risk of hospitalization as adults. Lifelong care by specialized ACHD providers is essential.

If you are living with ACHD and have had a procedure to correct your condition, continued specialized care remains crucial. At Memorial Hermann, we are dedicated to being your medical home, providing care as needed throughout your lifespan. Beyond congenital heart concerns, we also can connect you to experienced specialists for a wide variety of health needs. This commitment to multidisciplinary care is what truly sets our program apart.

By combining the specialized skill of the physicians affiliated with the Children’s Heart Institute at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and the Larry D. Johnson Heart & Vascular Institute at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, we meet the unique challenges faced by adult patients with congenital heart disease. With a collaborative approach, we offer personalized care at every stage of life, helping to provide a seamless transition from pediatric to adult care. Our team works closely with our affiliated pediatric cardiologists to provide comprehensive support during this transition, empowering patients and their families to navigate each step with confidence. 

Our specialists are board-certified in Adult Congenital Heart Disease, indicating the highest level of training. Accredited by the Adult Congenital Heart Association since 2019, our program is committed to setting the standard for exceptional care and improving the quality of life for adults living with congenital heart disease.

Continuity of care is crucial for individuals with congenital heart disease, as their needs evolve from childhood through adulthood. By providing consistent and specialized care throughout a patient's life, our program proactively addresses health challenges with the goal of minimizing disruptions and optimizing long-term outcomes. This continuum of care helps bridge any gaps between pediatric and adult services, offering patients the familiarity of a trusted team and the specialization required to manage the complexities of living with adult congenital heart disease.

Our teams meet periodically to provide a smooth and effective transition for patients moving from pediatric to adult care. As part of this effort, we also host a dedicated transition clinic, where our affiliated pediatric and adult congenital cardiologists collaborate on care decisions. Together, they review each patient's medical history and ongoing care needs to commit to a thorough understanding of every patient’s unique journey.

We also implement best practice advisories through our electronic health records system to optimize communication between providers. Our mission is to provide personalized, compassionate and comprehensive care, tailored to each patient as they navigate this important next phase of their health care experience.

What Sets Us Apart

Our dedicated team of affiliated board-certified specialists delivers comprehensive cardiovascular care, customized to each patient’s unique needs. Through our Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, we offer specialized treatment for the full spectrum of congenital heart defects, supported by a wide range of diagnostic and treatment options that adhere to the highest standards of care. Our team collaborates closely with subspecialties, including adult interventional cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, as well as other non-heart-related specialties such as pulmonology and hematology, to provide a truly multidisciplinary approach. For those requiring hospitalization, our inpatient services deliver seamless, high-quality care, with pediatric and adult physicians working in tandem for continuity and excellence in patient support.

Our affiliated team provides comprehensive cardiac evaluations, risk assessments for individuals with congenital heart conditions, advanced cardiac imaging for precise diagnostics, as well as interventional and electrophysiology services. For patients needing surgical intervention, we offer highly specialized cardiothoracic surgeries, complemented Aby continuous monitoring and comprehensive inpatient care throughout recovery.

Our young adult transition program eases the shift from pediatric to adult care, providing continuity of support. Additionally, we provide specialized cardiac care for high-risk pregnancies, including prepregnancy counseling. Our high-volume Maternal-Fetal Medicine program is renowned for its experience and positive outcomes. Our extensively experienced team delivers tailored, multidisciplinary care for both mother and baby, collaborating seamlessly within the same hospital system for an integrated, convenient approach that best supports families.

Our genetic counseling and testing services distinguish us by offering insights into hereditary heart conditions. This enables our team to develop highly personalized treatment plans based on each patient’s genetic profile. Our affiliated specialists, who are respected researchers in cardio-genetics, collaborate to streamline the process from diagnosis to treatment, providing advanced genetic counseling and targeted interventions based on the latest advancements in this dynamic field. Moreover, our internationally recognized work in cardiac and aortic conditions demonstrates our commitment to pioneering research and achieving exemplary patient outcomes. By expanding our knowledge of genetic markers and risk factors, we advance effective treatments for complex cardiovascular conditions. This dedication to research-driven care allows our patients to receive innovative treatments that support their health and future.

Additionally, we coordinate closely with our heart failure and transplant center to manage complex cases, and we offer resources to support the psychosocial and emotional well-being of our patients.