Toronto Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Program, located at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, is the first and one of the largest Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) programs in the world and serves as a provincial and national resource for the rapidly growing ACHD population, one of the greatest success stories in medicine. More children are surviving to adulthood than ever before and leading full lives of purpose and vibrancy.
The ACHD clinic opened in 1959 and the ACHD program was officially formalized in the mid 1980s. The Toronto ACHD clinic is treating a record number of patients, including more than 21,000 patients since 1959. A wide array of medical professionals provide expert care to close to 10,000 active patients, with more than 5,500 outpatient visits each year.
The Toronto ACHD program is a global hub for education in Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD). More than 100 fellows have translated our model and philosophy of care to their countries and hospitals.
While there remains no cure for congenital heart disease, the multidisciplinary team in the ACHD Program is staunchly devoted to unearthing new clinical treatment strategies and launching new research that can ease the disease burden and improve quality of life.
Learn More About What We Do
Who We Are
The team at the Toronto Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program is made up of passionate health professionals who are committed to treating patients born with heart disease. We work to bring all types of expertise together to deliver the most comprehensive and holistic care to our patients. Learn more about us here.
Congenital Cardiologists
A cardiologist is a doctor who diagnoses, assesses and treats disorders of the heart. A congenital cardiologist specializes in diagnosing, assessing and treating disorders of the heart that are present from birth. Our staff cardiologists come from a wide variety of backgrounds, with varied special interests within the field.
Cardiac Anaesthesiologists
The Toronto ACHD Program has anaesthesiologists on staff who not only specialize in helping patients before and during open heart surgery, but who have vast additional experience providing the full range of procedural support to patients with the most complex congenital cardiac conditions.
Cardiac Surgeons
Cardiac surgeons perform operations to correct cardiac disorders. Our surgeons, congenital cardiac surgeons, specialize in operations and heart transplant for patients with congenital heart disease.
Interventionalists
Interventionalists perform catheterization procedures, which may be needed to diagnose or treat certain cardiac problems. Key catheterization procedures performed by our experts include transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement, atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale closure, and treatment of aortic coarctation. Learn More
Electrophysiologists
Electrophysiologists are cardiologists who diagnose and treat disorders of cardiac rhythm. There are specialized electrophysiologists at the Toronto ACHD Program who treat congenital cardiac patients who develop rhythm problems.
Nurse Practitioners
Highly experienced and specially trained in the care of congenital cardiac patients, nurse practitioners at the Toronto ACHD Program participate fully in the inpatient and outpatient care of our patients, and take a special role before during and after cardiac surgery.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists at the Peter Munk Cardiac Center provide comprehensive pharmacy services to congenital cardiac patients. As members of the patient care team, they are responsible for performing medication review and assessment for appropriateness, identification of drug therapy problems, and monitoring of drug therapy for effectiveness and toxicity. They also respond to drug information questions, provide patient education and facilitate discharge reconciliation. Pharmacists collaborate with physicians, nurses and other allied healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient care is provided.
Social Workers
Our social workers help patients and their families with non-medical issues in relation to their cardiac conditions. This can include practical concerns, such as finances or medication coverage, or emotional support. They also educate and support patients and their families, and can make links to community resources and home supports. Learn More
Dieticians
Changes to your diet, eating habits and physical activity levels can prevent or improve certain health conditions. Dieticians at the Peter Munk Cardiac Center work with congenital cardiac patients to set goals and make lifestyle changes that can improve their health and wellness.
Interpreters
Our team will make every effort to communicate with you in your preferred language. Our interpreters work in 180 languages including American Sign Language and are available to assist during both inpatient and outpatient visits. Learn More