Adults with congenital heart disease face unique medical, psychological, and social challenges. Duke’s patient-care team helps make the transition from pediatric to adult care.

After complex defects are repaired during childhood, adults can face increased risk of problems such as irregular heartbeats or heart failure.

At Duke, the cardiac needs of these patients are managed through the collaborative efforts of adult and pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, specialized nurse clinicians, and social workers.

An individualized cardiac health “passport” is given to patients to provide them with a detailed description of their cardiac issues.

Our comprehensive evaluation and care includes counseling in:

• Genetics
• Athletic clearance
• Pregnancy issues

Diagnostic tests include:

• Cardiac catheterization
• Echocardiography
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Electrophysiology testing
• Computed tomography (CT scans)
• Nuclear cardiology
• Exercise tests

All of the current methods of treating adults with congenital heart disease are available, including the use of non-surgical occluder devices, stents, balloon valvuloplasty, pacemaker therapy, defibrillators, and arrhythmia ablation.

A dedicated adult congenital surgical team is also a major component of the group.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Bashore, Thomas M.
• Gehrig, Thomas
• Harrison, J. Kevin
• Kanter, Ronald J.
• Rhodes, John F. Jr.
• Wang, Andrew

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Health Center at North Duke Street
  3116 North Duke Street, Durham, NC 27704
• Duke University Hospital
  2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710