The Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute offers expert care for adult patients who were born with a heart condition.
Why choose the UPMC in Central Pa. Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program?
Our cardiovascular specialists offer comprehensive diagnosis, management, monitoring, and treatment of congenital heart conditions in adults. Although many congenital heart conditions that were diagnosed at birth only require ongoing monitoring, some conditions may cause complications and require treatment later in life.
As a leader in cardiovascular care in Pennsylvania, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute offers patients access to a team of experts skilled with collaborating on the unique needs of congenital heart patients. Our congenital heart disease specialists can advise patients on health and lifestyle choice for adult needs, whether that be physical challenges, exercise options or family planning appropriate for cardiac physiology. We also offer related care by specialists in high-risk pregnancy and genetics.
If your congenital heart condition causes complications or requires further treatment, our specialists can provide advanced care using the latest minimally invasive, catheter-based, and surgical techniques. Our goal is to provide care and patient education to lead productive life, staying on top of future health issues, coping with psychological aspect and careful attention during family planning and reproductive issues.
Conditions We Treat
Our experienced physicians provide comprehensive treatment for congenital heart conditions in adults, including:
- Atrial septal defect (ASD). ASD occurs when certain tissues in your heart do not form properly, leaving a hole between the two upper chambers of your heart, called the atria.
- Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD). AVSD septal defect occurs when there is a hole between the chambers of your heart and the valves that control blood flow are not formed properly.
- Bicuspid aortic valve, with or without stenosis and regurgitation. Bicuspid aortic valve occurs when your aortic valve has two leaflets instead of three, which may cause problems with blood flow because your valve does not open or close properly.
- Coarctation of the aorta. Coarctation of the aorta occurs when your aorta, or the large artery that connects to your heart, is narrowed and forces your heart to pump harder to circulate your blood.
- Complete atrioventricular canal defect (CAVC). CAVC occurs when a large hole in the center of your heart causes blood from each of your heart's four chambers to mix and prevents proper circulation.
- Congenital aortic valve stenosis. Congenital aortic valve stenosis occurs when your aortic valve is unable to open completely and results in problems with blood flow.
- Congenital coronary anomalies. Congenital coronary anomalies occur when one or more of your coronary arteries do not form properly.
- Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA). ccTGA occurs when your heart twists so that the ventricles in the lower half of your heart are reversed.
- Congenital pulmonary valve stenosis. Congenital pulmonary valve stenosis occurs when your pulmonary valve, which allows blood to flow out of your heart, does not function properly.
- Double outlet right ventricle (DORV). DORV occurs when your aorta connects to your right ventricle instead of your left ventricle, which causes your right ventricle to have two outlets (the pulmonary artery and the aorta) and your left ventricle to have no outlets.
- Ebstein's anomaly. Ebstein's anomaly occurs when the leaflets of your tricuspid valve, which connects your upper and lower right heart chambers, are not properly formed and cause problems with blood circulation.
- Eisenmenger syndrome. Eisenmenger syndrome occurs when a hole in your heart causes abnormal blood circulation within your heart and lungs.
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). HLHS occurs when the structures on the left side of your heart- including your left ventricle, mitral valve, aortic valve, and aorta - do not develop properly.
- Marfan syndrome. Marfan syndrome affects your body's connective tissue and may cause problems with your heart valves or weaken your aorta.
- Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return. Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return occurs when some of your pulmonary veins, which carry blood from your lungs to your heart, flow into the wrong place.
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO). Everyone is born with a foramen ovale, or a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of your heart. PFO occurs when this opening does not close within a few months of birth. Many cases of PFO do not require treatment, but it may be necessary to have PFO closure surgery to treat certain complications that could develop later in life.
- Subaortic membrane. Subaortic membrane occurs when a shelf-like membrane develops under your aortic valve, causing problems with blood flow.
- Tetralogy of Fallot. Tetralogy of Fallot is a combination of four congenital heart defects that affect the structure of your heart and blood flow.
- Transposition of the great arteries. Transposition of the great arteries occurs when the positions of your pulmonary artery and your aorta are switched.
- Turner syndrome. Turner syndrome, which affects only females, may cause abnormalities in the structure of your heart and problems with your aorta.
- Fontan operations or single ventricle physiology. Individuals who have Fontan palliation, performed in first few years of life with complex congenital heart diseases.
Our evaluation process includes:
- Thorough analysis of medications
- Review of prior medical records about original heart defects and any cardiac procedures
- Perform necessary testing for monitoring of clinical condition
- Collaborative team approach for successful outcome with cardiac imaging (such as MRI, CT scan, TEE), electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, heart failure and cardiac surgeons
Providers
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Locations
UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
2020 Technology Parkway
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Adult Cardiology: 717-920-4442
Pediatric Cardiology: 717-761-0200
Fax: 717-221-5266
