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Updated: May 20, 2026

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Adult congenital heart disease
1Department of Pediatrics, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
Insights
Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) require specialized care due to common lesions like atrial septal defects and tetralogy of Fallot. Management involves interventions, with excellent outcomes and a need for long-term follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- One million adults over 20 in the US have congenital heart disease (CHD).
- Adult CHD patients face care gaps due to age and lack of specialized training in adult cardiology.
- Effective management requires identifying common CHD lesions in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify prevalent lesions in adult congenital heart disease.
- To outline management strategies for these conditions in adults.
Main Methods:
- Review of common acyanotic and cyanotic congenital heart disease types in adults.
- Discussion of management approaches including surgery and catheterization interventions.
Main Results:
- Common acyanotic lesions include left-to-right shunts (atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus) and obstructive lesions (aortic coarctation).
- Tetralogy of Fallot is the most frequent cyanotic CHD in adults.
- Other complex conditions include univentricular hearts, Ebstein's anomaly, and corrected transposition of the great vessels.
Conclusions:
- Most adult CHD patients require surgical or catheterization-based interventions.
- Intervention outcomes are excellent in the adult population.
- Long-term follow-up in specialized centers is crucial for managing adult CHD.
Abstract:
One million people over the age of 20 suffer from congenital heart disease in the United States. These adult patients can slip through the cracks of our medical system; many are too old to be cared for in most pediatric institutions by pediatric cardiologists and, unfortunately, most adult cardiologists are not trained in congenital heart disease. Therefore, it is important to identify the common lesions in adult congenital heart disease and how they should be managed. Acyanotic congenital heart disease in the adult population primarily involves left-to-right shunts, such as atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and obstructive lesions such as aortic coarctation of the aorta. The most common form of cyanotic congenital heart disease in adults is tetralogy of Fallot. Other complex conditions seen in adults include univentricular hearts, Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve, and corrected transposition of the great vessels. Most patients with congenital heart disease will need to undergo surgery, catheterization, or catheterization intervention. Results are excellent in the adult population. Long-term follow-up is needed for any adult congenital heart patient receiving care in institutions that are well organized and well equipped, as we learn more about the natural and unnatural history of these conditions.
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