Comprehensive Care
 Combines the expertise of a top pediatric cardiologist with that of an adult cardiologist trained in congenital heart disease
 Focus on adults with congenital heart defects
 Easy access to specialized echocardiograms, MRIs and CT scans
 Support from adult and pediatric interventionalists, electrophysiologists, a nurse practitioner and congenital cardiac surgeons

The Need
Before the 1960s, most children with significant congenital heart problems died. Today, with advances in care, about half of congenital heart disease patients are over 18 years old. Cardiologists across the country are increasingly concerned that many of these patients may not realize that they need continuous specialty care.

About 500 children are born with heart disease each year in South Carolina. About half of them, some 250 children per year, have significant issues. Based on those figures, Dr. Saul estimates that between 5,000 and 8,000 adults with congenital heart disease in South Carolina need ongoing care.

While MUSC specialists have treated these patients for years, the dedicated program is new. Referring physicians can send this growing patient population to MUSC for specialized, comprehensive care.

Who to Refer
 Adults with simple heart defects that were almost completely repaired but still linger as potential problems later in life.
 Adults 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.
 Adults who are newly diagnosed with congenital heart abnormalities.

Clinics
The new program is offering clinics on the fourth Tuesday each month at MUSC, and it aims to hold outreach clinics at other locations in the future.