Download For Referring Physicians to ACHD Program

HEART & VASCULAR SERVICES
Heart and Vascular Services
Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program
UAB Heart and Vascular Services has a long history of innovative management of patients with
congenital heart disease. With this success, survival into adulthood has become the norm
rather than the exception. Indeed, there are now a greater number of adults with congenital
heart disease (ACHD) than children with congenital heart disease. It is currently estimated that
there are more than 1.3 million adults living with congenital heart defects in the United States
and that number is expected to increase 5% per year.
The growing number of ACHD has presented unique challenges ranging from access to
healthcare, non-cardiac and cardiac surgery, ongoing psychosocial implications, and caring
for pregnant women with congenital heart disease. Lesions that are common amongst ACHD
include:
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Ventricular and atrial septal defects
Bicuspid aortic valve
Coarctation of the aorta
Atrio-ventricular canal defect
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Tetralogy of fallot
Transposition of the great arteries
Truncus arteriosus
Single ventricle
Given the long-term medical issues that can occur in adults with congenital heart disease, it
is recommended by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology
that these individuals receive regular follow-up by a specialist in ACHD and at a regional center
of ACHD excellence. These issues include heart failure, arrhythmia, residual congenital heart
defects, valvular abnormalities, endocarditis, and stroke. Acquired heart disease (i.e. coronary
artery disease) is also more common in the ACHD population. The result is that many patients
will require additional heart surgeries, cardiac catheterizations, and other procedures. Still,
most ACHD are living productive lives, getting married, and having children of their own. As a
result, discussions during clinic visits often focus less on the pitfalls of congenital heart disease
and more on recreation, exercise, and reproduction.
UAB Heart and Vascular Services partners with local cardiologists and primary care physicians
to care for this patient population. The Alabama Adult Congenital Heart Program draws
from the expertise of physicians and staff from Pediatric Cardiology, Adult Cardiology,
Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Anesthesia and Maternal/Fetal Medicine. Physicians
with specialized training in surgical interventions, echocardiography, catheterization,
electrophysiology, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, MRI & CT imaging are part of the
multidisciplinary team. UAB is the only facility in the state of Alabama with the full range of
expertise to manage and treat ACHD. Specialized areas of treatment include:
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Percutaneous valvuloplasty, valve implantation, and closure of septal defects
Valve sparing root replacement
Arrhythmia management in congenital heart disease
Fontan conversion with arrhythmia surgery
Pregnancy in the setting of congenital and acquired heart disease
For Referring Physicians
The Alabama Adult Congenital Heart Clinic Locations
Birmingham: The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital, 2000 6th Avenue South
UAB Women & Infants Center, 1700 6th Avenue South
Huntsville: North Children’s of Alabama Specialists, 502 Governers Drive
Montgomery: Physicians to Children, Taylor Medical Complex, 470 Taylor Rd, Suite 210
For physician-to-physician consultation, or to be connected with our Birmingham clinics
please call UAB MIST at 800.UAB.MIST (1.800.822.6478).
To reach the Huntsville clinic, please call 256.533.0833.
To reach the Montgomery clinic, please call 334.293.5033.
For more information, visit us online at uabmedicine.org/heart.
Visit our MD Learning Channel at learnmd.uabmedicine.org for web-based learning and video
presentations from our UAB Medicine specialists.
Marc Cribbs, MD
Director, Alabama Adult Congenital
Heart Disease Program
Edward V. Colvin, MD
Pediatric Cardiology, Adult
Congenital Heart Disease
Oluseun Alli, MD
Interventional Cardiology
James K. Kirklin, MD
Cardiovascular Surgery, Adult
Congenital Heart Disease
Yung R. Lau, MD
Pediatric Cardiology &
Electrophysiology
Mark A. Law, MD
Pediatric Interventional Cardiology,
Adult Congenital Heart Disease
William S. McMahon, MD
Pediatric Interventional Cardiology
Joseph R. Biggio, MD
Director, Division of Maternal Fetal
Medicine & UAB Fetal Diagnosis
and Care Center