General Cardiology & Prevention Program
Adult Congenital Heart Disease (PACHD)
The Penn State Heart & Vascular Institute's Program for Adults with Congenital
Heart Disease (PACHD), directed by
William R.
Davidson, Jr., MD, has been in existence since 1991 and is the oldest ACHD
program in Pennsylvania. This inpatient and outpatient program treats patients,
ages 18 and older, with newly discovered or known congenital heart disease
regardless of prior surgery. Individuals with Marfan syndrome or those requiring
evaluation for Marfan syndrome are also welcome in our program. Additional
genetic counseling and diagnostic evaluations for Marfan syndrome are available
through our genetic counselors. The adult program
works closely with our pediatric colleagues from
Penn State Children’s
Heart Group including two world-renowned congenital heart disease surgeons. A
certified nurse
practitioner,
Michelle
J. Nickolaus, CRNP, is also dedicated to the care and management of these patients.
During 1999-2000, 10% of all congenital heart disease operations performed at
Penn State Hershey Medical Center were on patients over 18 years of age.
Our echo, catheterization and electrophysiology labs have extensive
experience in congenital cardiac conditions. We also have a valuable resource in
our high-risk OB group, cardiac MRI/MRA and medical genetics teams.
Additionally, we have expertise in the management of heart rhythm problems,
which commonly occur in adults with congenital heart disease.
We have two locations at which our specialists see patients:
- The
I.O. Silver
Cardiovascular Specialties Clinic, Suite 600 of the University Physician
Center on the campus of Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
Clinic hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every Wednesday.
- Our
Nye’s
Road location, where our specialists are scheduled every Thursday morning.
Patients may be referred by their physician or
self-referred to the program. Appointments may be made by calling our toll-free CareLine at
(800) 243-1455 or by calling the office directly at 717-531-8407.
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