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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Treatment of congenital heart disease: risk-reducing measures in young adults
Teun van der Bom1, Paul Luijendijk, Berto J Bouma
1Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) face frequent late complications and heart failure. Recent advances focus on pharmacological, interventional, and surgical treatments to improve long-term survival and reduce risks in this growing population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)
Background:
- Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) represent a growing population due to improved surgical survival.
- Long-term survival data for ACHD patients are limited, with frequent late complications impacting quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in managing adults with congenital heart disease.
- To focus on interventions reducing the risk of major complications and mortality.
Main Methods:
- Review of current pharmacological treatments for ACHD.
- Discussion of interventional cardiology techniques for ACHD.
- Analysis of surgical strategies in adult congenital heart disease management.
Main Results:
- Late complications in ACHD include endocarditis, stroke, hypertension, aortic issues, and arrhythmias.
- Heart failure and sudden cardiac death are primary causes of mortality in ACHD.
- Treatment aims to alleviate symptoms and mitigate risks of severe late complications.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of ACHD requires addressing late complications and reducing mortality risks.
- Pharmacological, interventional, and surgical advances are crucial for improving outcomes in adults with congenital heart disease.
Abstract:
Adults with congenital heart disease form a new and relatively young population, since surgical treatment of heart defects became available three to four decades ago. Owing to improved survival this population is steadily growing in number and age. Little is known regarding long-term survival; however, late complications occur frequently. During adulthood, almost half of the patients have one or more complication, such as endocarditis, stroke, systemic or pulmonary hypertension, aortic aneurysm or dissection and arrhythmias. Heart failure and sudden cardiac death are the main causes of death. Treatment of adults with congenital heart disease is aimed at the reduction of symptoms, but also at minimizing the risk and severity of late complications. In this article the most recent advances in the treatment of congenital heart disease will be discussed. The main focus of the article will be on pharmacological, interventional and surgical interventions that reduce the risk of heart failure, arrhythmias, vascular complications, pulmonary hypertension and endocarditis.
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