Key partnerships with leading heart experts

Congenital heart disease lasts a lifetime. Because medical needs and treatment options can change throughout a person’s life, it’s important to be seen by someone who can treat the condition, at any age.

Children’s Health brings together world-class providers from UT Southwestern, Children’s Medical Center Dallas and Parkland Memorial Hospital. These institutions share the ACHD Accredited Comprehensive Care Center distinction from the Adult Congenital Heart Association.

This partnership enables us to assemble a team of doctors with vast expertise in congenital heart disease at any age. These doctors work together to offer:

• First-time treatment and long-term follow-up care

• Help transitioning from pediatric to adult care

• Surgeries and catheter-based procedures to treat congenital heart defects at the institution that is most appropriate for your care

• Health and lifestyle counseling

• Access to social workers and financial counselors to help with the emotional and financial issues that can come with congenital heart issues

Research studies and clinical trials

We use research and clinical studies to find ways for people with congenital heart disease to live longer, healthier lives. For example, we are actively studying issues like how exercise can improve long-term health, and whether new medications are better at managing issues associated with congenital heart disease. We invite patients to participate in trials that are right for them, so they can have a better chance of improving their health.

Planning for pregnancy with adult congenital heart disease

Many women with congenital heart disease worry that they won’t be able to have a baby, or that their baby might have a heart defect. Fortunately, most women with congenital heart disease can have a successful pregnancy. However, it may require extra care and attention. A woman’s heart works harder than normal during pregnancy and this can pose additional risks for women with congenital heart disease.

Our experts are here to guide you through this decision. We will teach you about any health risks you or your baby might face, and help you make the decision that’s best for you and your family.

Once you are pregnant, we work closely with high-risk obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYN’s) to ensure a healthy pregnancy. We can set-up a meeting with an OB/GYN to counsel teenagers who have questions about what it will take to have a safe pregnancy in the future.