Congenital heart disease, a condition present at birth, is the most common birth defect. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 1 in 100 people born in the United States has a congenital heart defect. At least half of this population needs lifelong care from health care providers who are specially trained and experienced in managing congenital heart disease. Due to ongoing advances in the treatment of infants and children with congenital heart disease (CHD), there are now more adults living with congenital heart disorders than children with CHD.
Caring for these patients is the mission of the Congenital Heart Failure and Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Heart & Vascular Center. This program is a collaboration with Boston Children’s Hospital and the Boston Adult Congenital Heart (BACH) Program. We provide long-term care for patients 16 years and older who have congenital heart disease and related conditions. Our program is one of the few worldwide that trains leaders in adult congenital heart disease care.
If you have a complex condition, you may benefit from this unique collaboration, which provides easy access to adult-specific subspecialty care, including adult congenital heart surgery.
CHD can be newly diagnosed in adulthood, often bringing complex risks such as pulmonary hypertension or arrhythmias that complicate treatment. Adults with CHD may also have other chronic conditions, such as diabetes and renal disease, which need to be considered in their treatment. Additionally, they can face health risks that some pediatric congenital specialists and less-specialized adult cardiac specialists may be less familiar with.
If you’re an adult with congenital heart disease, our program provides nuanced care for your complex congenital anatomy and physiology, as well as any other health conditions you may have.
Our world-renowned physicians are skilled at repairing congenital heart lesions, ranging from the simplest to the most complicated:
In most cases, there is no identifiable cause for congenital heart disease, which is generally considered an inherited condition caused by multiple genetic and environmental factors. We help patients understand their risk of transmitting congenital heart disease to their children.
Patients with congenital heart defects are at lifelong risk for additional medical and cardiovascular issues. Many of these risks can be reduced by developing and following a comprehensive medical assessment and care plan throughout their lifetime.
Effectively treating a congenital heart condition may require one or more surgical procedures. Some of the types of surgeries we perform include:
Learn more about surgery for adult congenital heart disease
The Heart & Vascular Center is located in the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center, across the street from the Brigham’s main entrance at 75 Francis Street. The Heart & Vascular Center brings together the full range of cardiovascular services in one location, fostering seamless and coordinated care for all patients.
If you are scheduled for surgery or a procedure, you will likely visit the Weiner Center for Preoperative Evaluation or the Watkins Clinic for preoperative information and tests.
On the day of surgery, your care will be provided by surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses specializing in congenital heart disease surgery. After surgery, you will be taken to the post-surgical care unit, where an experienced surgical and nursing staff will provide comprehensive care.
During your surgery, family and friends can wait in the Shapiro Family Center. Staff members will provide surgery updates, and caregivers who leave the hospital will be contacted by cell phone.
Learn more about your hospital stay and returning home
The multidisciplinary team of the Congenital Heart Failure and Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient clinical services to adults with congenital heart disease. Our commitment to complete care includes helping patients maximize their physical, emotional, medical, and social well-being. Our team of specialists includes cardiologists, physician assistants, and nurses experienced in both adult and pediatric congenital heart disease. They collaborate with specialists such as electrophysiologists, cardiac surgeons, oncologists, gastroenterologists, hematologists, and nephrologists.
The Adult Congenital Heart Association is one of the largest cardiology-based patient and family advocacy organizations, with a mission to advance education, care access and quality of care.
Learn more about congenital heart disease in our health library.
Visit the Kessler Health Education Library in the Bretholtz Center where patients and families can access computers and knowledgeable staff.
Access a complete directory of patient and family services.
The Brigham is home to several subspecialty clinics, including the Cardiogenetics Aortopathy Clinic, the Cardiovascular Disease and Pregnancy Clinic, and the Combined ACHD and Heart Failure Clinic.
View team details on the Boston Children's Hospital website
Boston
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
75 Francis St.
Boston, MA 02115
617-355-6508
Boston Children's Hospital
300 Longwood Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
617-355-6508
Milford
14 Prospect St.
Milford, MA 01757
617-355-6508
North Dartmouth
500 Faunce Corner Road
North Dartmouth, MA 02747
617-355-6508
Peabody
10 Centennial Drive
Peabody, MA 01960
617-355-6508
Waltham
9 Hope Ave.
Waltham, MA 02453
617-355-6508
Weymouth
200 Libbey Parkway
Weymouth, MA 02189
617-355-6508
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