Care for Adult Congenital Heart Disease at University of Colorado Hospital

Why Choose Treatment for Adult Congenital Heart Disease at University of Colorado Hospital?

University of Colorado Hospital has one of the top adult congenital heart disease programs in the nation. Our testing and treatment options help adults living with congenital heart disease to live the fullest lives possible. Our partnership with The Children’s Hospital in Denver also makes it easy for children with a congenital heart defect to receive consistent care when they become adults.

What is Adult Congenital Heart Disease?

Congenital heart disease is a heart defect that is present at birth. It affects eight in 1,000 newborns in the United States every year. With new treatment and surgery options, many of these newborns are surviving into adulthood. Today, more than one million adults are living with congenital heart disease.

The American College of Cardiology recommends that adults with repaired or unrepaired congenital heart disease see their primary care doctor and an adult congenital heart specialist throughout their life.

Congenital Heart Diseases Treated at University of Colorado Hospital

Septal Defects

Heart defects caused by a hole in the septal wall of the heart, which separates the left and right sides of the heart

  • Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
  • Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
  • Atrioventricular Canal Defect
  • Mitral Valve Conditions
  • Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Defects Causing Obstruction in the Heart or Blood Vessels

Any narrowing or blockage of blood flow

  • Aortic Stenosis (AS)
  • Coarctation of the Aorta
  • Pulmonary Stenosis (PS)

Complex and Cyanotic Defects

Heart defects resulting in less-than-normal oxygen levels in blood that is pumped to the body

  • Ebstein’s Anomaly
  • Pulmonary Atresia with and without ventricular septal defect
  • Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
  • Transposition of the Great Arteries (atrial and arterial switch)
  • Tricuspid Atresia
  • Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR)
  • Truncus Arteriosus

Problems with Development of the Heart

  • Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
  • Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV)
  • Pulmonary Hyptertension associated with congenital heart disease
  • Marfans Syndrome
  • Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease

Featured Item

University of Colorado Hospital is one of only three centers in the region to offer non-surgical treatments called transcatheter interventions. These include stenting for a native and recurrent aortic coarctation, pulmonary valvuloplasty and pulmonary artery stenting.

Featured Doctors

Joseph Kay, M.D., is program director of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinic. He is an adult and pediatric cardiologist, specializing in adult congenital catheterization and intervention.

David Campbell, M.D., is an adult and pediatric congenital cardiac surgeon.

William Sauer, M.D., is a cardiologist specializing in invasive electrophysiology.

Adult Congenital Heart Disease Research

University of Colorado Hospital is part of the Alliance of Adult Research in Congenital Cardiology (AARCC). This is a multi-center research effort that conducts outcomes research in adult congenital cardiology.

Departments Treating Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinic
Cardiac & Vascular Center
Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
(720) 848-5300