Children's National Health System

CARDIOLOGY 13 ADULT CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE IN THE 21ST CENTURY SYMPOSIUM WHEN: May 16–17, 2014 WHERE: Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center To register, visit www.cme.medstarwashington.org/achd. P O T E N T I A L P R O B L E M S O F P R E G N A N C Y More than half of the estimated 1.3 million American adults with congenital heart disease are women, according to the Adult Congenital Heart Association. For some of them, pregnancy can carry higher risks of cardiac complications and even mortality. "Pregnant women with congenital heart disease can be vulnerable to arrhythmia and heart failure," says Anitha John, MD, PhD, Director of the Washington Adult Congenital Heart Program at Children's National Health System and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. "Some studies reveal expectant mothers with congenital heart defects have higher risks of mortality. Our program works closely with maternal-fetal medicine experts to successfully manage patients through pregnancy and delivery." ALTHOUGH THE VAST majority of the approximately 1 percent of U.S. babies born with congenital heart defects live to adulthood, fewer than 10 percent receive appropriate management when they mature, according to the Adult Congenital Heart Association. "For the first time in history, more adults are living with congenital heart disease than children, but we don't have enough specially trained physicians to care for them," says Anitha John, MD, PhD, Director of the Washington Adult Congenital Heart Program (WACH) at Children's National and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. "In 2001, Karen Kuehl [MD, MPH, cardiologist at Children's National] established WACH in partnership with MedStar Washington Hospital Center to leverage the strengths of both entities so patients receive the full spectrum of care." ADDRESSING UNIQUE NEEDS Dr. Kuehl, Dr. John, and George Ruiz, MD, cardiologist at Children's National, work with specialists at both Children's National and MedStar Washington Hospital Center to manage and treat adult patients who have congenital heart disease with cardiac and extracardiac issues, such as coronary artery disease, renal problems, bleeding and clotting conditions, liver dysfunction, and high-risk pregnancies. Patients enter the program by transitioning from the care of pediatric cardiologists at Children's National as teenagers or via referral from community physicians. Patients are seen at either Children's National or MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Offering adult patients the option to continue to be seen at Children's National allows for continuity of care for these patients with complex cardiac histories. "WACH seamlessly integrates care for the unique needs of ACHD patients," says Charles Berul, MD, Co-director of the Children's National Heart Institute and Chief of Cardiology at Children's National. "The program provides patients with expert interventional, psychosocial, and community support that's o en not available from a single provider." To refer a patient to WACH, call 202-821-6289. To learn more, visit www.ChildrensNational.org/WACH. When Congenital Heart Disease PATIENTS OUTGROW US As patients with congenital heart disease move from pediatric to adult care, they often do not receive the specialty care they need. Children's National Health System is helping rectify that problem, thanks to a unique collaboration. BY THOMAS CROCKER SYMPOSIUM

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