Birth defects are defects in the structure of one or more of the heart or blood vessels that occur before birth. Since the fetus develops in the womb, the structure of the heart and blood vessels are not formed during pregnancy.

 In the United States:

 They affect about 8 to 10 out of 1000 children. Birth defects can cause symptoms at birth, in childhood, and sometimes in adulthood. 800,000 adults in the United States grew up with congenital heart disease in adulthood. The number is increasing by about 20,000 each year. Congenital heart disease in adults is not uncommon. It is estimated that 1 in 150 adults will suffer from some form of congenital heart disease. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2017 Update

 The most common congenital heart diseases in adults are:

•  Congenital valve deficiency
•  Atrial and ventricular septal defects
•  patent foramen ovale
•  Patent ductus arteriosus
•  Abnormal pulmonary vessels
•  Contraction (CoA)
•  Ebstein anomaly
•  Pulmonary artery stenosis
•  Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
•  Transposition of the great arteries (TGA)
•  Pulmonary hypertension

 Symptoms and causes

 Symptoms of congenital heart disease

 Congenital heart disease can be diagnosed before birth, shortly after birth, in childhood, or in adulthood. It may be defective and show no symptoms. In adults, if there are signs of congenital heart disease, these may include:

•  shortness of breath
•  poor exercise tolerance

 Congenital Heart Disease Diagnosis

 Congenital heart disease is diagnosed by murmur on physical examination and various diagnostic tests:

•  echocardiogram
•  transesophageal echocardiogram
•  Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
•  cardiac catheterization
•  chest x-ray
•  Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
•  magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
•  Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

 Congenital Heart Disease Treatment

 Treatment is based on the severity of congenital heart disease. Some mild heart defects do not require any treatment. Others can be treated with medications, invasive procedures, or surgery. Most adults with congenital heart disease should be monitored by a congenital heart specialist and may need to take precautions to prevent endocarditis (heart infection) throughout their lives.

 Surgical Treatment Options

•  Shutdown Devices
•  Robotic-Assisted Patent Foramen Ovale Repair
•  Robotic-Assisted Atrial Septal Defect Repair