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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
07:27
Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Changing mortality in congenital heart disease
Paul Khairy1, Raluca Ionescu-Ittu, Andrew S Mackie
1Adult Congenital Heart Center, Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|September 25, 2010
Summary
Mortality in congenital heart disease (CHD) has significantly decreased, shifting from infants to adults. Survival has improved due to medical advances, with reduced deaths across most age groups.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Historically, congenital heart disease (CHD) mortality predominantly occurred in early childhood.
- Significant advancements in medical care have been made, potentially influencing CHD mortality trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze temporal trends in all-cause mortality among patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort study was conducted in Quebec, Canada, from July 1987 to June 2005.
- Data included 71,686 patients with CHD, with 8,561 deaths recorded over 982,363 patient-years.
Main Results:
- Infant and childhood deaths from CHD markedly declined between 1987 and 2005, outperforming the general population's mortality reduction.
- Overall mortality decreased by 31%, with the largest reduction observed in infants (77%).
- Mortality rates decreased in all age groups under 65, with survival gains primarily driven by reduced mortality in severe CHD forms.
Conclusions:
- Mortality in congenital heart disease (CHD) has shifted from infants towards adults.
- There is a steady increase in the age at death for CHD patients.
- Decreasing mortality rates indicate improved survival and management of CHD.
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