lifelong care for patients with a congenital heart disease

Our pediatric cardiology team partners with the adult congenital cardiology team at Nationwide Children's Hospital to provide care for adults with congenital heart disease as well as adults with pulmonary hypertension and certain other genetic disorders that may not manifest until adulthood. Patients benefit from their expertise while still interacting with familiar Dayton Children's providers, all in the comfortable setting of the cardiology clinic at Dayton Children's Hospital.

why here? why adult care at a pediatric hospital?

The adult congenital heart disease clinic here at Dayton Children's Hospital provides a seamless transition for our pediatric patients as they reach adulthood. Expert medical care is provided by specialists in adult congenital heart disease - many of whom are board certified in both pediatric and adult cardiology.

Patients receive routine heart check ups including physical examination and all needed diagnostic tests. Patients also receive preventive cardiac care which allows early identification of potential cardiac problems.

The clinic emphasizes patient education regarding their heart condition and provides appropriate guidance about family planning, pregnancy, employment concerns and support.

Our team is able to address problems quickly and effectively, here at Dayton Children's. regardless of your age, keeping your care convenient and close to home.

how do you help teens transition?

Teenagers face many transitions as they approach adulthood, but for those with a congenital heart condition the challenges are unique. At Dayton Children's, the cardiology team is committed to helping these teens take responsibility for their heart health and transition to adult care. We offer an education program that helps teens:

• Understand their heart condition
• Learn how lifestyle choices affect their heart health
• Understand the importance of receiving ongoing, specialized care for their heart condition
• Take responsibility for their appointments and medications

your care team

Meet Dr. Daniels and the capabilities of the adult congenital heart disease program.

Curtis J. Daniels, MD: Dr. Daniels is the director of the Adolescent and Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital. His leadership guides and directs the care provided by the entire team of specialists in the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinic at Nationwide Children's. He is certified in pediatrics, internal medicine and cardiology, and is therefore uniquely qualified to diagnose, treat and provide long-term care for the growing number of adolescents and adults who are diagnosed with congenital heart disease.

He is also a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Lubabatu Abdurrahman, MD: Dr. Abdurrahman is the division chief of cardiology and head of fetal cardiology at Dayton Children's Hospital. Patient families collectively agree that Dr. Abdurrahman is compassionate and truly enjoys caring for her patients, while providing families with as much knowledge and understanding as possible. She helps coordinate the transition of patients as they reach adulthood. She supervises and interprets cardiac diagnostic tests such as ECG, echocardiograms, fetal echocardiograms, and exercise stress tests performed on the clinic patients here at Dayton Children's Hospital.

Michael Ralston, MD: Dr. Ralston is an experienced, board-certified pediatric cardiologist at Dayton Children's Hospital. He has a special interest and expertise in myocardial imaging and caring for children with congenital heart disease. Patients in the adult congenital heart disease clinic will be able to take advantage of Dr. Ralston's expertise when they undergo cardiac MRI

Christopher Bugnitz, MD: Dr. Bugnitz is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist at Dayton Children's Hospital. He enjoys the challenge of caring for children with congenital heart disease. Because many cardiac diagnoses require lifelong care, he has the privilege of watching his patients grow and thrive. In addition to providing medical care, he also has a passion for educating his patients and families. He has expertise in cardiac MRI and CT scan imaging and provides his expertise to the ACHD clinic patients as well.

Stephenie Perkins, BSN, RN: Stephenie is the cardiology nurse navigator here at Dayton Children's. With 15 years of nursing experience, she coordinates care with Nationwide Children's for patients in the adult congenital heart disease program. When Stephenie was young, she spent months in the burn unit at Dayton Children's. Her experience as a patient grew into a passion for helping others. She always knew she would return to Dayton Children's one day to help patients and families navigate their health care journey.

what conditions are treated in the adult congenital heart disease clinic?

The congenital heart disease clinic provides care for all congenital heart defects including, but not limited to:

• Atrial septal defect
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Transposition of the great vessels
• Marfan syndrome
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary and aortic valve and pulmonary valve disease
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Ventricular septal defect

how do I make an appointment for the adult congenital heart disease clinic?

To request an appointment, call 614-722-5622 and let the representative know you would like to keep your congenital heart disease care close to home at Dayton Children's Hospital.