The Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Program at Deborah is a specific cardiac sub-specialty. Deborah physicians who are Board Certified in ACHD have taken extra years of specialty training, ensuring expertise in diagnosing and treating adult congenital heart problems. These subspecialists work closely with Deborah’s pediatric cardiologists for seamless transition of patients at each stage of life, and at each level of potential disease progression. Children who are diagnosed early with a congenital heart defect can access a wide range of available treatments, including surgical repair, and often are able to survive well into adulthood.

For children who have been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, it is important after they transition out of adolescence, that they are followed for the rest of their lives by a skilled, experienced cardiologist, with expertise in adult congenital heart disease. Deborah’s ACHD Program makes this transition from pediatric to adult cardiac management seamless, with superb continuity of care. These patients remain in the specialized ACHD Program, since their needs are different from other adults who have developed acquired heart disease later in life.

The ACHD Program also provides a vital link for adult patients who had undiagnosed childhood congenital heart defects, and have health problems as they age.