"We were full of fear and worry. Then we found hope, warmth, and security. We are so grateful."
- Congenital Heart. Our commitment to comprehensive and state-of-the-art care begins before birth, is child-centered and — thanks to marked advances in the field — now embraces adults living with congenital heart conditions.
Caring for children and adults with congenital heart disease requires a multidisciplinary effort. Our dedicated teams of doctors, nurses, and technicians are specifically trained and experienced to meet the unique clinical needs of congenital heart patients.
Team members work collaboratively, bringing their unique expertise to each case, which ensures a cohesive and integrated care plan for every patient. We are committed to ensuring the best possible care for children and adults with congenital heart disease in Northern New England.
New patients require a doctor's referral.
Transthoracic & Transesophageal Echocardiography: Ultrasound waves are used to examine the anatomy of the heart as well as heart function and blood flow.
Fetal Echocardiography: Ultrasound waves are used to examine the structure, function and rhythm of the fetal heart. Counseling on diagnosis, management and implications for pregnancy, labor and perinatal care are provided in close collaboration with your obstetrician.
Cardiac catheterization has long been an important tool for diagnosing congenital heart disease and helping to create a plan of care. Today, we can help treat many types of congenital heart disease using cardiac catheterization. Obstructed valves and blood vessels, such as pulmonary valve stenosis, or coarctation of the aorta, can be completely opened with current stent technology. More recent procedures, such as transcatheter valve placement, are now performed regularly, further extending the treatment capabilities of cardiac catheterization.
Cardiac MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is quickly becoming an essential non-invasive imaging test to determine cardiac function and vascular structure. This test helps the doctor to see two-dimensional slices of the heart from any angle.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic imaging technology that uses strong magnet and radiofrequency waves to produce images of the heart and blood vessels. There is no radiation produced during acquisition of images by MRI. Because MRI allows us to non-invasively see inside the heart and blood vessels from any angle and with great clarity, it has replaced more invasive and time-consuming diagnostic modalities for many types of cardiac problems.
A stress test, sometimes called a treadmill test or exercise test, helps a doctor find out how well the heart handles work. These tests screen for muscle dysfunction, arrhythmias and causes of syncope.
With a worldwide incidence of ~1%, most infants born with congenital heart disease will never receive a diagnosis, let alone the care that they need. That's why we extend our professional lives beyond the United States. Our outreach efforts in India and China focus on treating underserved patients and teaching local providers how to continue this important work after we leave. Meanwhile, our involvement with Camp Meridian and the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Maine help meet the non-medical needs of our patients close to home.