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Cardiolucent

Condition

Congenital Heart Disease

Adult care for congenital heart conditions, with imaging and lifelong surveillance.

Congenital heart disease refers to structural abnormalities of the heart or great vessels present from birth. The spectrum is enormous — from small atrial septal defects and bicuspid aortic valves that may go undetected for decades to complex anatomies that required surgery in infancy. Thanks to advances in pediatric cardiac surgery, the number of adults living with congenital heart disease now exceeds the number of children, and they need lifelong cardiology care to manage residual lesions, late complications, and acquired cardiovascular risk on top of their underlying anatomy. Dr. Kedan provides routine adult cardiology care for patients with congenital heart disease and coordinates with specialized adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) programs at Cedars-Sinai for complex conditions.

What Cardiolucent Evaluates

  • Comprehensive history including prior surgeries, interventions, and imaging
  • Echocardiography focused on the specific anatomy, with POCUS at every visit
  • EKG and rhythm screening, particularly for atrial arrhythmias common in adult congenital patients
  • Functional assessment with exercise capacity testing when indicated
  • Coordination with adult congenital heart disease specialists at Cedars-Sinai
  • Cardiac MRI or CT referral for detailed anatomy when needed
  • Endocarditis prevention counseling and pregnancy-related risk discussion when relevant

Common Symptoms

  • Shortness of breath with exertion, sometimes lifelong
  • Palpitations or atrial arrhythmias
  • Reduced exercise tolerance
  • Heart murmur often found on routine exam
  • Cyanosis or low oxygen saturation in some complex anatomies
  • Many adults with simple congenital lesions are entirely asymptomatic

Risk Factors

  • Family history of congenital heart disease
  • Maternal diabetes, lupus, or certain infections during pregnancy
  • Genetic syndromes such as Down, Turner, DiGeorge, or Marfan syndrome
  • Certain medication or alcohol exposures in utero
  • Bicuspid aortic valve and other inherited valve variants
  • The condition itself is by definition present from birth

How Cardiolucent Approaches Treatment

Management depends entirely on the specific anatomy. Many adults with simple congenital lesions need only periodic surveillance and management of acquired cardiovascular risk, while those with complex anatomy or prior surgical repair require closer monitoring of residual lesions, ventricular function, and arrhythmias. Dr. Kedan provides routine adult cardiology care — blood pressure, lipids, lifestyle, and rhythm management — and coordinates with the Cedars-Sinai adult congenital heart disease program for complex cases, reinterventions, or pregnancy planning.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is congenital heart disease?
Congenital heart disease is structural abnormality of the heart or great vessels present at birth. It ranges from very mild variants like a small atrial septal defect to highly complex conditions requiring surgery in infancy.
Do adults still need follow-up for congenital heart disease?
Yes — even patients who underwent successful repair in childhood need lifelong cardiology follow-up. Residual lesions, late arrhythmias, ventricular dysfunction, and acquired cardiovascular risk all benefit from regular monitoring.
What are the most common adult congenital heart conditions?
Bicuspid aortic valve, atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, and patent foramen ovale are among the most common conditions seen in adults. Tetralogy of Fallot, transposition repairs, single-ventricle (Fontan) physiology, and others represent more complex anatomies.
What testing will I need?
Echocardiography is the workhorse, often supplemented by cardiac MRI or CT for detailed anatomy and right ventricular assessment. Exercise testing and rhythm monitoring are added based on the specific lesion and concerns.
Can I exercise normally?
Many adults with simple congenital heart disease can exercise normally and benefit from regular activity. Complex anatomies often have specific exercise recommendations developed jointly with adult congenital specialists. Dr. Kedan personalizes guidance for your specific anatomy.
Should I worry about endocarditis?
Certain congenital conditions and prosthetic materials raise the risk of endocarditis, and antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures is recommended in specific high-risk situations. Dr. Kedan reviews your individual indication against current guidelines.
Can I have children safely?
Pregnancy planning is one of the most important conversations for women with congenital heart disease. Some conditions tolerate pregnancy well with appropriate monitoring; others require careful pre-conception evaluation and high-risk obstetric care. Dr. Kedan coordinates this assessment with adult congenital cardiology and maternal-fetal medicine.
When do I need a specialized adult congenital program?
Complex anatomies, prior major surgical repairs, single-ventricle physiology, and pulmonary hypertension all warrant management in coordination with a specialized adult congenital heart disease program. Dr. Kedan refers to the Cedars-Sinai ACHD team when this level of expertise is needed.
What about everyday cardiovascular risks?
Adults with congenital heart disease also develop standard cardiovascular conditions — hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes — and these often have greater impact in patients with abnormal anatomy. Routine adult cardiology care to optimize these risks is just as important as managing the congenital condition itself.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call (310) 304-5555 or use the contact form to schedule with Dr. Kedan at the Beverly Hills office. Cardiolucent does not bill Medicare or insurance; a detailed superbill is provided for any out-of-network reimbursement.

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Lifelong cardiac care for adults with congenital heart disease.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.