The MUSC Heart and Vascular Center's Adult Congenital Heart Program in Charleston, SC treats South Carolina patients with congenital heart disorders. We also host congenital heart disease clinics on the fourth Tuesday of each month at MUSC.  MUSC's strategic approach to treating adults with congenital heart defects combines the expertise of our top pediatric cardiologist with that of an adult cardiologist specially trained in treating congenital heart disease.
Our congenital heart disease program was created in response to growing concern among cardiologists across the country that many adults with congenital heart defects may not realize that they need continuous specialty care. Congenital Heart Disease CardiologistsJ. Philip Saul, M.D., is the director of Pediatric Cardiology as well as the physician-in-chief of the MUSC Children's Hospital. He co-directs this program with adult cardiologist David Gregg IV, M.D., who trained in non-invasive imaging and adult congenital heart disease at the University of California-San Francisco after completing medical training at the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons at Duke University. Types of Adult Congenital Heart PatientsAdult congenital heart patients can be divided into three main groups: - Simple congenital heart defects: These were almost completely repaired but still linger as potential problems later in life.
- Complex congenital heart disorder problems: These are often found in adults who were born with congenital heart defects that were completely repaired. They typically lead normal lives until they develop problems such as arrhythmia or heart murmurs in their 20s or 30s.
- Non-diagnosed congenital heart disorders
The numbers of South Carolina patients with congenital heart defects are increasing with advances in care. Today, about half of congenital heart disease patients are over 18 years old. Before the 1960s, most children with congenital heart problems died. About 500 children are born with heart disease each year in South Carolina. That's about one percent of the population. About half of them have significant issues. Based on those figures, it is estimated that 5,000-8,000 adults with congenital heart disease in South Carolina need ongoing care. Treating Adult Congenital Heart DisordersTreating different types of congenital heart patients at different stages of heart disease takes a team approach. MUSC's Ault Congenital Heart Program utilizes: - Adult and Pediatric Interventionalists
- Congenital Cardiac Surgeons
- CT scans
- Echocardiograms
- Electrophysiologists
- MRIs
- Nurse Practitioners
Contact the MUSC Heart and Vascular Center to schedule appointments or ask questions about MUSC's congenital heart disease treatments. 
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