Cooper Establishes Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program

According to 2003 statistics an estimated 1,000,000 adults in the United States have congenital heart disease (CHD). Of this population, more than half require on-going specialized care. To meet the needs of this complex population in South Jersey, the Cooper Heart Institute has recently begun a multi-disciplinary program. The program, located at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, is under the co-direction of two physicians with a wealth of experience and expertise in adult congenital heart defects, Rido Cha, M.D., Cooper adult cardiologist, and Peter Varga, M.D., a pediatric cardiologist at Cooper.

“One of the most difficult problems for this population can be the transition to adult care,” says Dr. Varga. “This program addresses the unique needs of these patients.”

Under the direction of both pediatric and adult cardiologists, the Cooper Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program will provide comprehensive evaluations for CHD and Marfan’s syndrome patients.

“We offer a full complement of diagnostic and therapeutic options including: 3-D echocardiography, intra-cardiac echocardiography, advanced interventional procedures, and cardiac surgery,” says Dr. Cha. “Our multi-disciplinary approach provides the patient with the full spectrum of testing and treatment options through a single program,” adds Dr. Cha.

For more information regarding the Cooper Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, or to refer a patient, please call: (856) 342-2034.