Living Well with ACHD
Adults with a congenital heart disease face a higher risk of early sudden death and other disabilities.
But thanks to medical breakthroughs, there are now more adults than children living with congenital heart disease.
Congenital heart disease is the most common type of birth defect. It involves problems with the heart's valves and chambers, as well as the veins and arteries which carry blood to and from the heart. Nebraska Medicine has the region’s only multi-disciplinary, sub specialty trained adult congenital heart disease program. Our team of experts are dedicated to the care of adults with congenital heart disease using a holistic approach. This provides you with lifestyle recommendations and leading edge treatment for all of the problems and complications that come with congenital heart disease from the simple to the most advanced and complex disease.
Founding Members of the Midwest and Omaha Congenital Heart and Aortopathy
Nebraska Medicine is also a founding member of The Midwest & Omaha Congenital Heart and Aortopathy (MOCHA) program, the only program in the region dedicated to treating adolescents and adults with congenital heart defects and diseases of the aorta. It is a collaborative approach to healthcare, with the support of Nebraska Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, with specialty-trained physicians forming a multidisciplinary team focused on patient care. Our team works closely with the pediatric cardiologists at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, and in the region, on the patient’s transition of healthcare from childhood into adulthood.
Program Highlights:
- Collaboration care between Nebraska Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.
- Weekly case review conferences attended by congenital cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, congenital interventionalists, and cardiac anesthesiologists to discuss patient care.
- Educational packets specifically designed for patients transitioning their care from pediatric to adult medicine.
Extraordinary Care
Data shows that when congenital heart disease patients are treated by dedicated congenital heart disease teams, they do much better. With ACHD, patients respond differently to medical treatments and can develop unexpected complications. Because of our teams experience and expertise, they can anticipate complications, help prevent them and put interventions in place to help promote a healthier longer life. Leading edge care for ACHD patients may include:
- Transition Support From Pediatric Care to Adult Care
- Advanced Cardiac Diagnostics and Imaging
- Medication and Monitoring
- Advanced Cardiac Ablation and Surgery
- Care for High Risk Pregnancy Patients with ACHD
- Genetics and ACHD
- Nationally Recognized Marfan's Syndrome Experts
Patient Guides
Long-term Comprehensive Therapies
Nebraska Medicine has the advantage of being able to offer its patients more advanced cardiac therapies such as heart transplantation or ventricular assist devices when other therapies have failed.
Eisenmenger Clinic
Our doctors recently started the Eisenmenger Clinic for congenital heart disease patients with pulmonary hypertension, a condition with a very high morbidity and mortality rate.
Accreditations and Awards
Nebraska Medicine and Children Hospital & Medical Center’s joint Adult Congenital Heart Disease program has received accreditation from the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA), a nationwide organization focused on improving standards of care and connecting patients, family members and healthcare providers to form a community of support and network of experts with knowledge of CHD.
