Expanding on a lifetime of heart care: The BACH Program

Dr. Valente discusses a case with colleagues — Valente discusses a case with colleagues [KC COHEN/BOSTON CHILDREN'S]

As more patients born with congenital heart disease (CHD) live well into adulthood and older age, there is an increasing demand for clinicians who understand their complex and unique needs. Since its inception more than 25 years ago, the Boston Adult Congenital Heart (BACH) Program has been a leader in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) care. In 2017, the program was one of the first in the country to receive accreditation from the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA), and has nine cardiologists who are board certified in ACHD, making it one of the largest ACHD programs in the country.

Board certification in ACHD is increasingly important, as new 2018 guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology specify adult patients with CHD see an ACHD-boarded cardiologist on a regular basis for ongoing care, based on their level of complexity.

Providing community-based ACHD care

To help fill this need and provide local ACHD care to the greater community, the BACH program has expanded its services beyond the Boston Children’s main campus. “The goal is to provide local ACHD care to the greater New England community to facilitate best practices,” says Dr. Anne Marie Valente, director of the BACH program.

Boston Children’s main campus and satellite locations in Waltham, Milford, Peabody and Weymouth
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston
Boston Medical Center
Baystate Medical Center, Springfield
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston

“Research shows if you’re an adult with CHD and are lost to follow up, you’re at higher risk for an adverse outcome,” says Valente. “Our hope is that by establishing relationships within these communities the BACH team will be instrumental in helping adults living with CHD have better long-term outcomes.”

Present and past ACHD graduates of the BACH program gather at a recent ACHD meeting — Present and past graduates of the BACH program gather at a recent ACHD meeting

Building transition models in the community

Valente says the BACH Program is working on building transition models in the community. “We work collaboratively with patients’ own primary care doctors and local cardiologists, so patients aren’t replacing their care with our clinicians, but supplementing their care. We provide an additional level of expertise in ACHD that’s critical for this growing population.”

Learn more about the BACH Program.