HJBR Jan/Feb 2022

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE  I  JAN / FEB 2022 53 congenital cardiology specialists include, but are not limited to: • Septal defects. • Valvular anomalies. • Coarctation of the aorta. • Interrupted or hypoplastic aortic arch. • Tetralogy of Fallot. • Transposition of the great arteries. • Total anomalous pulmonary venous return. • Ebstein’s anomaly. • Truncus arteriosus. • Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) or single ventricle variants (e.g., tricuspid atresia). • Chest wall deformities, including pectus excavatum and carinatum, • Diseases involving the lungs, pleura or diaphragm as well as implantation of pacemakers. • Congenital coronary artery abnormalities. • And other conditions. Transitioning Teens to ACHD Programs Transition care is an important component of ensuring continuity of care for this population. Transition clinics work with teens before reaching adulthood, enabling them to understand the care that is needed as they mature. Rigorous standards of care are combined with a holistic approach that supports each adolescent congenital patient’s personal health goals. Board-certified adult congenital cardiologists work in coordination with other adult specialists to ensure that each patient has access to the care that they need. The team includes family planning services, maternal fetal medicine specialists, congenital cardiovascular surgeons, congenital interventional cardiologists and congenital electrophysiology specialists. Our goal for the teenagers born with congenital heart disease is to facilitate a successful transition of their medical care into adulthood. Transition clinics educates the teens on what to expect next for their care and how to best manage their condi- tion. We review their own particular heart condition and their heart history and pro- vide them the tools to take ownership over their care. They are taught to understand the potential issues that may arise, includ- ing medication management, the impor- tance of exercising, eating properly, adopt- ing heart healthy habits and choosing the right care team. Genetics and Family Planning for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease The genetics of congenital heart disease are complex and variable. It is very import- ant to understand the genetic background of the congenital heart disease in order to manage the condition and understand how that may impact family planning. Understanding the genetics behind the disease can help determine the risk for congenital heart disease in future preg- nancies and in other family members. The Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program provides genetic counseling and education, family history risk assessment, participates in the management of genetic conditions, diagnostic genetic testing and family plan- ning discussions. By advancing access to resources and specialized care, we can improve pa- tient-centered outcomes for the adult con- genital cardiology patients, thus enabling them to live healthy and productive lives throughout their adulthood. n Michael Brumund, MD, FAAP, FACC, is director of outpatient cardiology and medical director of adult congenital cardiology at Children’s Hospital NewOr- leans,one of only 44 programs nationwide to receive accreditation from theAdult Congenital HeartAsso- ciation (ACHA),a nationwide organization dedicated to education,advocacy and research to improve the lives of those born with heart defects.He specializes in fetal and pediatriccCardiology, adult congenital cardiology and cardiac intensive care.Brumund grew up in Georgia and received a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Bachelor of Arts in physics from Emory University. He received a Doctor of Medicine and completed a pediatric residency and pediatric cardiology fellowship training at theMedical College of Georgia. Brumund is board-certified in pediatric cardiology by the American Board of Pediatrics and theAmerican Board of Internal Medicine. He serves as an associate professor of clinical pediatrics and internal medicine at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. “Specialized adult congenital cardiology clinics offer a complete range of diagnostic and treatment services for patients with adult congenital heart disease, including minimally-invasive procedures.” Michael Brumund, MD, FAAP, FACC Medical Director of Adult Congenital Cardiology Children’s Hospital New Orleans