AHN Advancing Lifelong Care for Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is an increasingly complex and growing condition among adult patient populations. With about 97% of CHD patients now living into adulthood, many have residual or progressive cardiovascular issues that require specialized, lifelong care.

To support this need, the AHN Cardiovascular Institute has expanded its capabilities with the launch of a dedicated center for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD). The Center is designed as a regional source for referring physicians and patients with structural problems with heart chambers and major blood vessels.

The case for specialized ACHD care

Clinical guidance from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology continues to reinforce that patients with moderate to complex congenital heart disease benefit from care with dedicated multidisciplinary programs.

However, in practice, many adult patients:

• Transfer out of pediatric care without structured follow-up
• Present later with complications such as arrhythmias, heart failure, or valve dysfunction
• Require specialized evaluation during key life stages, including pregnancy

A dedicated ACHD center bridges these gaps, helping patients navigate the long-term complications and challenges associated with congenital heart issues.

A dedicated resource within AHN Cardiovascular Institute

AHN Cardiovascular Institute AHN’s Adult Congenital Heart Center, located at Allegheny General Hospital, provides comprehensive care for patients 16 years and older with CHD.

The program is led by Nael Aldweib, MD, a board-certified cardiologist specializing in CHD and heart failure, who brings a longitudinal and highly coordinated approach to ACHD care.

AHN’s Center provides services which span routine wellness exams, medication management, and advanced cardiac imaging (cardiac MRIs and echocardiograms), as well as eased access to more intensive therapies like pacemaker implantation, defibrillator implantation, cardiac catheterization, ablation, and valve surgery.

Multidisciplinary care across the patient journey

The CHD team works closely with cardio-obstetrics, maternal fetal medicine, pediatrics, and electrophysiology to deliver coordinated, tailored care across the lifespan. Dr. Aldweib emphasizes that this multidisciplinary approach is designed to address the full complexity of ACHD, not just isolated cardiac issues.

Care is further supported by an integrated team that includes congenital heart specialists across pediatric and adult cardiology, along with surgical, imaging, rehabilitation, and behavioral health experts — ensuring comprehensive management of both cardiac and non-cardiac needs.

The program also facilitates structured referrals for patients during pre-conception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods, and prioritizes seamless transition from pediatric to adult cardiology through coordinated, warm handoffs.

When to refer

Referring physicians should consider AHN’s Adult Congenital Heart Center for patients with:

• Congenital heart disease transitioning into adulthood
• Repaired defects requiring lifelong surveillance
• New or progressive symptoms, such as arrhythmias or heart failure
• Pre-conception counseling or pregnancy with cardiac history
• Structural abnormalities such as septal defects or valve malformations

How to refer

To learn more or refer a patient to AHN Cardiovascular Institute’s Adult Congenital Heart Center, visit Health Care Professionals at Allegheny Health Network.