Adult congenital heart disease concerns people born with a heart defect who have grown into adulthood, whether the defect was repaired in childhood or remained undetected. Many such patients lead full lives, but they need lifelong follow-up because problems can emerge years after surgery.

At Apex, patients seeking a cardiology hospital in Mumbai with experience in congenital conditions are assessed with echocardiography and occasionally MRI or CT, and the cardiologist reviews old records. Symptoms such as breathlessness, palpitations, tiredness, bluish lips, or reduced exercise tolerance should be reviewed.

Adults with congenital heart disease need tailored advice about pregnancy, exercise, dental hygiene to prevent endocarditis, and medicines. Some repairs can now be done with catheters rather than repeat open surgery. Such procedures require specialised teams and, where necessary, referral.

Adult congenital heart disease services include:

• Pulmonary Valve Implantation: Placement of a new valve through a catheter in patients whose earlier repair has worn out, avoiding another open-heart operation where suitable.
• Coarctation Stenting: Widening of a narrowed section of the aorta with a stent, which lowers blood pressure in the arms and improves blood flow to the lower body.
• Fontan Circulation Care: Long-term monitoring of patients with a single-ventricle repair, including management of complications and assessment of conversion procedures when the circuit fails.
• Pregnancy and Lifelong Follow-Up: Planning before pregnancy, regular scans and advice on activity, infection prevention and medicines throughout adult life.