What is Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)?
In congenital heart disease (CHD), a person is essentially born with a defect of the heart caused by a developmental abnormality of one or more structures of the heart or its blood vessels. These can include narrowed or leaky heart valves, inefficient flow between the heart’s chambers, abnormal connection of chambers/arteries, and other similar conditions. While many CHD patients undergo surgical repairs in childhood, the majority of them are not “cured” and continue to need surveillance and further are – sometimes including additional procedures – as adults. In addition, some congenital defects are not discovered until well into adulthood.
Each year, the ACHD Program at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre sees 300 new graduates from the neighbouring Hospital for Sick Children. A graduate is a patent born with congenital heart disease who has survived into adulthood – something almost unheard of not too long ago. Along with almost 6,500 actively followed patients, these graduates receive the best possible care from specialists in surgery, rhythm disorders, heart failure, nursing and psychology and social work.
Directed by Dr. Erwin Oechslin, the Bitove Foundation Professor in Adult Congenital Heart Disease, the ACHD Program at the PMCC is internationally recognized as the premier centre for ACHD for its successes in care, education and research.
Related Links:
• Peter Munk Cardiac Centre info @ UHN.ca
• UHN Adult Congenital Heart Program
• Peter Munk Cardiac Centre Campaign @ www.inaheartbeat.ca
