Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are conditions affecting the heart that are present as soon as someone is born. These range from ‘holes in the heart’ such as atrial and ventricular septal defects, to much more complex forms of congenital heart disease. Many people who are born with CHD are initially treated as children, but with advances in early diagnosis, paediatric cardiac surgery, medical and nursing care, over 90% of babies born with CHD survive to adulthood. Some people may only have their congenital heart disease detected as adults.

The Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Service at Manchester Royal Infirmary looks after adults with these heart conditions. It is delivered in partnership with the Royal Manchester Children’s hospital, and with the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. At Manchester Royal Infirmary there are ACHD outpatient clinics, and patients with CHD who need to be admitted to hospital are also managed on the cardiology wards. Interventional procedures and cardiac surgery for patients with ACHD are performed at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.

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