For adults living with congenital heart disease, complex aortic valve conditions can bring complex decisions — and sometimes, difficult choices. Through the HonorHealth Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, adults born with congenital heart disease who develop complex aortic valve conditions now have access to a broader range of specialized surgical treatment options.
This broader spectrum of advanced aortic valve and aortic root repair procedures includes complex valve-preserving operations for carefully selected patients. By preserving a patient's own valve when appropriate, these procedures can help some younger adults avoid the lifelong blood-thinning medication required with mechanical valves.
One condition that may benefit from these expanded options is bicuspid aortic valve, one of the most common congenital heart conditions, affecting an estimated 1% to 2% of the population. While many patients with this condition never require treatment, others develop valve narrowing, leakage or enlargement of the aorta that can eventually require surgery.
"Adults born with congenital heart disease often need specialized care throughout their lives, and those needs can become more complex over time," said Tabitha Moe, MD, director of the HonorHealth Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program. "Expanding these advanced valve-preserving procedures means more patients can receive comprehensive, highly specialized care in Arizona while preserving future treatment options whenever possible."
The Adult Congenital Heart Disease program brings together congenital cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and other specialists to provide coordinated care for adults living with congenital heart conditions. With more advanced treatment options available, patients can receive expert heart care close to home while keeping their individual needs at the center of every decision.