Adult congenital heart disease treatment in San Antonio
Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect in the United States. A congenital heart defect is a problem with the structure of the heart that is present at birth. Due to the significant medical and surgical advances that have developed since the 1970’s, there are now more adults living with CHD than children. As adults with CHD age, questions arise regarding career choices, physical activity, safety of getting pregnant, safety of birth control options, risks of non-cardiac surgery and anesthesia, etc… Risk factors for acquired heart disease also develop such as high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions associated with aging. These medical questions and problems combined with the late complications from previous surgeries add to the complexity of care needed for an adult with CHD. Studies support that adults with CHD have better long-term survival and outcomes if someone who has expertise and training in Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) sees them at a specialized center.
To learn more about the care we offer for adult congenital heart disease patients in San Antonio, call (210) 575-5915.
Adult congenital heart disease center at the Methodist Heart Institute
The Methodist Heart Institute Adult Congenital Heart Center, located on the Methodist Hospital campus facilitates the transition from pediatric to adult congenital heart care. We offer seamless, multispecialty care for each patient's individualized needs. Our Adult Congenital Heart Disease providers at the Methodist Heart Institute are both fellowship-trained and board-certified in adult internal medicine, adult cardiology and adult congenital heart disease.
This integrated adult congenital heart disease program includes outstanding cardiovascular subspecialty expertise in:
- Heart surgery for congenital abnormalities
- Interventional cardiology
- Cardiac electrophysiology
- Minimally invasive valve repair and replacement
- Advanced heart failure program
- Heart transplant program
- Pulmonary hypertension management
- Congenital heart disease and pregnancy management
- Advanced cardiac imaging including congenital echocardiography, CT and cardiac MRI
Common congenital heart abnormalities we treat
We provide treatment for a variety of congenital (present at birth) heart conditions, including:
- Congenital valve defects
- Atrial septal defect
- Ventricular septal defect
- Patent foramen ovale
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Anomalous pulmonary veins
- Coarctation of the aorta (CoA)
- Ebstein's anomaly
- Pulmonary artery stenosis
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
- Congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries
- Transposition of great arteries after Mustard or Senning repair
- Contraception in women with congenital heart disease
- Pulmonary hypertension and congenital heart disease
- Single ventricle and fontan physiology
Patient testimonial
Born with a congenital heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot, Salvador underwent his first open-heart surgery at 4 years old. With a lifelong journey of trips to the ER and numerous hospital admissions, countless medications and surgical procedures—Salvador’s doctors were running out of options.
In 2016, Dr. Pankaj Madan discovered Salvador’s pulmonary valve was severely leaking. Instead of a third open-heart surgery, doctors were able to use a much less invasive procedure—transcatheter pulmonic valve replacement (TPVR).
Pediatric interventional cardiologist Dr. Rolando Zamora-Salinas said, “This is an awesome technique, especially for the younger or middle-aged adult who has been through the mill before.”
Today, Salvador is feeling great, eating right and has even lost 45 pounds, stating he finally feels like himself again.
