Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) means there was a structural difference in your heart from birth. Thanks to surgical advances, more children with CHD are now living long, full lives. In fact, there are now more adults than children living with CHD in the U.S.
At UHealth – University of Miami Health System, our expert cardiovascular surgeons specialize in caring for adults with these unique heart conditions.
Whether you were just diagnosed, or you need follow-up on surgery you had as a child, we offer precise care for everything from common issues to rare, complex conditions. We focus on durable solutions and use minimally invasive options whenever possible.
Who Should Seek Care?
If you have a known congenital heart defect, or if you notice new symptoms, it's time to see a specialist.
You should get your heart evaluated if:
- Know you have CHD (even if you had a repair) and haven't had regular, ongoing follow-up.
- Have new symptoms like:
- Getting out of breath easily.
- Chest discomfort or a racing/fluttering heartbeat (palpitations).
- Feeling dizzy or fainting.
- Noticeable drop in exercise endurance.
- Were recently told you have a heart murmur, a "hole in the heart," or an issue with your aorta or heart valves.
- Are planning major life changes such as pregnancy or starting high-intensity exercise.
Conditions We Treat
We treat a wide range of congenital heart issues that may require surgery or intervention:
Holes in the Heart
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD): A hole between the upper chambers of the heart.
- Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): A hole between the lower chambers of the heart.
- Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): A small, natural flap between the upper chambers that can open, allowing blood to sometimes pass the wrong way.
Valve Problems
- Aortic or Mitral Regurgitation: The valve leaks, allowing blood to flow backward when the heart pumps.
- Subaortic Stenosis: A blockage or narrowing right below the aortic valve.
Aorta & Vessel Issues
- Coarctation of the Aorta: A persistent narrowing in the body's main artery (the aorta).
Complex Defects
- Tetralogy of Fallot: A combination of four related defects.
- Congenitally Corrected Transposition: The main chambers and arteries are reversed.
Treatment Options
Depending on your specific defect, we offer personalized treatment options:
Minimally Invasive & Catheter-Based Repairs
These procedures use small tubes (catheters) inserted through a blood vessel, usually in the leg, to reach the heart.
- Device Closure: Using a catheter to place a small patch or plug to close holes like ASD or PFO.
- Valve Repair/Replacement: Procedures like TAVR (for aortic valve) or TEER (Mitral Clip for mitral valve) repair or replace a leaky valve without major chest surgery.
- Balloon Procedures: Using a small balloon to open narrowed valves or vessels (e.g., Percutaneous Valvuloplasty).
Traditional & Minimally Invasive Surgery
When a catheter approach isn't possible or durable enough, our surgeons perform a direct repair.
- Open Repair: Surgical closing of septal defects (ASD/VSD), or complex repairs of the aorta and its valves.
- Valve Surgery: Repairing or replacing leaky or stiff aortic and mitral valves, aiming for repair whenever possible.
Rhythm and Electrical Therapies
- Pacemakers & Ablations: To manage slow or irregular heartbeats.
- Implantable Defibrillators (ICD): Devices to monitor and correct life-threatening heart rhythms.
Advanced Heart Diagnostics
We use sophisticated tests to get a precise, 3-D map of your heart for surgical planning:
- Echo (Ultrasound): Creates moving images of the heart's anatomy, function, and blood flow.
- Cardiac MRI / CT: Provides highly detailed, 3-D pictures of the heart chambers, vessels, and valves.
- Rhythm Monitoring (Holter): Small, wearable devices that record your heart's electrical activity over days or weeks to catch rhythm problems.
- Exercise Stress Testing: Evaluating how your heart performs under strain to determine your capacity and reveal exercise-related issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Location
Cardiac Surgery at UHealth Tower
1400 Northwest 12th Avenue, Suite 1
Miami, FL 33136
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Our Experts
Questions? We're here to help.
Our appointment specialists are ready to help you find what you need. Contact us today.