Congenital Heart Disease in Adults — Diagnosis and Treatment in Hyderabad
Congenital heart disease (CHD) refers to structural heart abnormalities present from birth. Thanks to advances in paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery, more than 90% of children with CHD now survive to adulthood. This has created a large and growing population of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) — many of whom require ongoing cardiology care, further interventions, and monitoring for late complications.
Common congenital conditions seen in adults
| Atrial septal defect (ASD) | A hole in the wall between the upper heart chambers. The most common CHD discovered in adults — often asymptomatic until breathlessness, AF, or stroke risk prompts investigation. Many are suitable for catheter-based device closure without surgery. |
| Patent foramen ovale (PFO) | A small flap-like opening in the atrial septum that failed to close after birth — present in 25% of adults. Usually causes no problems but can allow clots to cross from right to left, causing cryptogenic (unexplained) stroke. Device closure reduces recurrent stroke risk in selected patients. |
| Ventricular septal defect (VSD) | A hole between the lower heart chambers. Small VSDs may close spontaneously in childhood. Large unrepaired VSDs cause left-to-right shunting and eventually Eisenmenger syndrome — pulmonary hypertension with reversal of shunt direction. |
| Bicuspid aortic valve | The aortic valve has two leaflets instead of three — present in 1–2% of adults. Associated with accelerated valve calcification (aortic stenosis at younger age), aortic regurgitation, and aortic dilatation. Requires lifelong echocardiographic surveillance. |
| Coarctation of the aorta | Narrowing of the aorta — causes upper body hypertension, reduced blood flow to the legs, and increased cardiac workload. Most are repaired in childhood but may recur or develop complications in adulthood. |
| Tetralogy of Fallot, corrected TGA, Fontan circulation | Complex congenital conditions repaired surgically in childhood. Adults with these conditions require specialist ACHD cardiology follow-up — late complications including arrhythmias, heart failure, and valvular problems are common. |
ASD and PFO device closure at AIG Hospitals
Dr. Bhishma Chowdary performs transcatheter ASD device closure and PFO closure at AIG Hospitals, Gachibowli. The procedure is minimally invasive — no chest incision, no heart-lung machine — and most patients are discharged the following day. A transesophageal echocardiogram guides precise device deployment.