Adult Congenital Heart Defect Services

A congenital heart defect occurs when the heart or blood vessels near the heart don't develop normally before birth. A variety of tests are used to diagnose congenital defects. Located in the Meriter Heart & Vascular Hospital, our experienced surgeons perform pre-scheduled adult congenital heart defect surgeries. They have been recognized as the "Best in Madison" and distinguished by their peers as some of the "Best Cardiovascular Surgeons in the Nation."

Testing

• Echocardiogram - An ultrasound of heart structures, conducted through the chest wall or esophagus. For more information about this procedure, read our Echocardiography article.
• Heart Catheterization - A procedure in which a catheter is passed into the heart chambers and vessels to measure pressures, to determine if blockages exist in the coronary arteries, and to learn how effectively the heart pumps blood. For more information about this procedure, read our Cardiac Catheterization article.

Treatment

• ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) Repair - Atrial septal defects occur if the tissue (known as the atrial septum) between the two atria (chambers at the top of the heart) does not completely close after birth. The persistent opening can vary in size from miniscule to very large. If this opening remains for a long time or into adulthood, the persistent or extra flow of blood across that opening (called a shunt) can place a strain on the heart. This defect can be repaired through open heart surgery. For more information about this condition, read our Atrial Septal Defect article.

Next: Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Services

6/23/2008