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Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
07:27

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease

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Congenital heart defects in adulthood

Gerhard-Paul Diller1, Günter Breithardt, Helmut Baumgartner

  • 1Kardiologisches Zentrum für Erwachsene mit angeborenen und erworbenen Herzfehlern (EMAH), Münster, Germany. Gerhard.Diller@ukmuenster.de

Deutsches Arzteblatt International
|July 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Most adults with congenital heart disease require ongoing specialized care for residual issues and potential late complications. Improved awareness and communication are crucial for optimal management of this growing patient population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)

Background:

  • Over 90% of children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) now survive into adulthood.
  • This growing population of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) presents unique medical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the ongoing challenges and management strategies for adults with congenital heart disease.
  • To highlight the need for specialized care and improved physician communication for ACHD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Selective literature review.

Main Results:

  • Complete cure of CHDs in childhood is rare; most adults experience residual problems.
  • Potential late complications include arrhythmias, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, endocarditis, and thromboembolic events.

Conclusions:

  • Adult patients with CHDs often require further interventions and management for late complications.
  • Effective care necessitates specialized medical services, patient/physician awareness, and optimal inter-physician communication.
Abstract

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