Pediatric and adult congenital cardiology

We provide a spectrum of cardiology care to children with any heart disease and adults with congenital heart disease. Our division resides administratively in the Geisinger Heart and Vascular Institute but collaborates closely and interacts extensively with the Department of Pediatrics. Adult congenital heart care is a collaboration between our division and cardiology.

We see patients of all ages, from fetal to elderly. Services include outpatient evaluation of any heart issue; electrocardiography including ambulatory, transthoracic, fetal and transesophageal echo; stress testing; diagnostic and interventional heart catheterization; advanced imaging; cardiomyopathy and heart failure; pulmonary hypertension; cardiac surgery for congenital defects in children and adults; and electrophysiology testing and treatments.

Our team in Danville, Pa., includes pediatric cardiologists, a surgeon, a surgery physician assistant, a registered nurse and sonographers, as well as several administrative assistants and administrative support personnel.

You’ll be exposed to patients with a variety of symptoms and conditions in inpatient and outpatient settings. Bedside evaluation using history and physical examination are stressed. We explore ancillary testing, such as echocardiography, electrocardiography, radiography, lab testing and genetic testing, for each patient. Diagnosis and management, including drug treatment, catheter interventions and surgery, are discussed and used as needed. 

Patients’ clinical and hemodynamic data are discussed in detail during evaluations. During weekly conferences, you will acquire a better understanding of the anatomy and physiology of congenital cardiac defects and the surgical and medical treatment options. You’ll have opportunities to participate in clinic and hospital environments and to help care for patients under physician supervision. 

Goals and objectives

By the end of the clerkship, you’ll have basic knowledge appropriate for your level of training, consisting of:

• Understanding of presenting symptoms and signs of heart disease and being able to discern disease vs. benign states using history, exam and basic tests
• Basic knowledge of common congenital heart defect anatomy
• Fundamentals of normal and abnormal hemodynamics and physiology
• Strategies for management of common heart disease in children including medical therapy, interventional catheterization, surgery and electrophysiology

We welcome anyone who wishes to acquire a better understanding of heart disease, whether or not you want to specialize in cardiology. This experience will benefit you by broadening and deepening your understanding of human cardiovascular disease and its impact on patients and their families.