Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program

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The Le Bonheur Mid-South Adolescent-Adult Congenital Heart Disease (MAACH) program is led by Medical Director Rush Waller, MD, and Surgical Director Umar Boston, MD. Waller is among the first cardiologists in the country to be board certified in ACHD medicine.

ACHA-Comprehensive-Care-Center-21.pngThe program is an ACHA ACHD Accredited Comprehensive Care Center. This designation from the Adult Congenital Heart Association recognizes Le Bonheur's expertise in serving adults with congenital heart disease.

The number of adults with congenital heart disease continues to grow, thanks to surgical advancements that allow young heart patients to live into adulthood. While the majority of patients in the Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) program were diagnosed in infancy, some congenital heart defects can go undetected and are discovered later in life.

Congenital heart disease requires regular care and monitoring to avoid complications. According to the Adult Congenital Heart Association, fewer than 10 percent of adults with CHD in the United States are receiving the recommended care they need.

Dr. Waller examines a patient in Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinic.

The ACHD program -- a partnership between Methodist University Hospital, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Le Bonheur -- ensures that adults living with complex congenital heart disease receive lifelong care from cardiologist who is specially trained to care for their unique issues.

The program includes a team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and other specially trained staff who manage congenital heart disease in adults. Our care includes:

For more information, contact us at cardiac@lebonheur.org or 1-866-870-5570. For additional information and resources, visit the Adult Congenital Heart Association website.

Congenital Heart Disease and COVID-19

Below, Le Bonheur Cardiologist Benjamin Hendrickson, MD, MS, answers common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease.