The two types of heart disease in children are "congenital" and "acquired." Congenital heart disease (also known as a congenital heart defect) means a heart defect that is present at birth. Some defects in this category are patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD). About 40,000 children are born with a heart defect each year. Acquired heart disease, which develops sometime during childhood, includes diseases such as Kawasaki disease, rheumatic fever and infective endocarditis.

Kawasaki disease is an example of acquired heart disease that occurs primarily in children who are 5 years old or younger. Although the cause of the disease is unknown, there are effective treatments to prevent long term damage to the heart.

During 2006, physicians at The Sanger Clinic performed more than 300 operations and catheterizations for congenital heart disease, more than any other institution in North Carolina. Closed and open corrective operations are performed in the smallest of neonates with results that match or exceed many of the largest congenital heart centers in the world. It is our belief that earlier correction will offer improved long-term outcome and survival. Therapeutic cardiac catheterization is a special type of minimally invasive procedure which largely replaces the need for operative repair. For the last seventeen years, Dr. Herbert Stern has directed these services and has the largetst experience in the southeast with regards to transcatheter closure of ASD and PFO.

The Sanger Clinic employs seven pediatric cardiologists, each active in their own subspecialty, two outstanding cardiothoracic surgeons, one critical care specialist specializing in post-operative care and one certified nurse practitioner to create a team approach to the treatment of congenital heart disease.

In addition to treatment of children with congenital heart disease, Sanger Clinic is extremely active in the treatment and follow-up of the adult with congenital heart disease. This service, which is the oldest and most established clinic of its kind in North Carolina, is directed by Dr. Donald Riopel, pediatric cardiologist, and Dr. Geoffrey Rose, adult cardiologist.