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. J. 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 and Duke University. This program was created in response to growing concern among cardiologists across the country that many adults with congenital heart disease may not realize that they need continuous specialty care. The numbers of these patients 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, some 250 children per year, have significant issues. Based on those figures, it is estimated that between 5,000 and 8,000 adults with congenital heart disease in South Carolina need ongoing care. Adult congenital heart patients can be divided into three main groups:  Some have simple heart defects that were almost completely repaired but still linger as potential problems later in life.
Others were born with complex problems that were completely repaired and who lead normal lives until they develop problems such as arrhythmia or heart murmurs in their 20s or 30s. The third category is adults who have not been diagnosed. Those who had complex problems may continue seeing a pediatric cardiologist, who can be unprepared to treat heart problems complicated by adult issues such as pregnancy or hypertension. Patients who had minor problems that were nearly fixed probably see an adult cardiologist. These patients, as well as ones who are undiagnosed, might not seek help until they experience chest pain or other symptoms.Treating these different types of patients at different stages of heart disease takes a team approach. The Adult Congenital Heart Program is far greater than two cardiologists. Staff is be available for conducting echocardiograms, MRIs and CT scans. Other support comes from adult and pediatric interventionalists, electrophysiologists, a nurse practitioner and congenital cardiac surgeons. The Adult Congenital Heart Program holds clinics on the fourth Tuesday each month at MUSC. 
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