Adult Congenital - Division of Cardiovascular Medicine ::

Adult Congenital

Duke is one of only a handful of major specialty care facilities in the United States to emphasize comprehensive treatment of adults with congenital cardiac disease. A dedicated clinic and group of adult congenital cardiovascular specialists address the unique problems these patients may have.

The center offers training in adult congenital heart disease for a select number of advanced cardiovascular trainees.

At Duke, adult and pediatric cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, nurse clinicians, and patient support staff collaborate closely to offer comprehensive outpatient and inpatient care to adults with congenital heart disease.

The outpatient clinic provides comprehensive evaluation and care, including counseling in:

Genetics

Athletic clearance

Pregnancy issues

An individualized cardiac health "passport" is given to patients to provide them with a detailed description of their cardiac issues.

The center offers the latest in repair of congenital heart lesions using both non-surgical approaches (including closure of heart defects and valvular or other stenoses) and surgical approaches (including the use of mini-thoractomy and minimally invasive procedures).

The inpatient service provides care to patients who require hospitalization. All patients are admitted to an adult cardiology ward and cared for by physicians with expertise in adult congenital heart disease.

Diagnostic testing includes:

Cardiac catheterization
Echocardiography
Arrhythmia monitoring and pacemaker therapy
Nuclear cardiology
Magnetic resonance imaging
Cardiovascular computed tomography
Pulmonary studies and exercise testing

Staff

Thomas M. Bashore, MD
Thomas Gehrig, MD
J. Kevin Harrison, MD
Michael H. Sketch Jr., MD

Andrew Wang, MD

John Rhodes, MD

Ronald Kanter, MD