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Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Extracardiac complications in adults with congenital heart disease
Scott B Cohen1, Salil Ginde, Peter J Bartz
1The Wisconsin Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program (WAtCH), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wis, USA.
Insights
Adults with congenital heart disease face more extracardiac comorbidities, impacting quality of life and survival. Early detection and management are crucial for better outcomes in adult congenital heart disease care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
- Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Growing population of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD).
- Increasing incidence of extracardiac comorbidities in this population.
- Comorbidities significantly impact quality of life and survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of recognizing extracardiac comorbidities in adults with CHD.
- To emphasize the need for active assessment of these complications.
- To advocate for research into modifiable risk factors for preventative strategies.
Main Methods:
- This study is a review and expert opinion piece.
- It synthesizes current understanding of extracardiac comorbidities in adult CHD.
- It emphasizes clinical awareness and proactive assessment.
Main Results:
- Extracardiac comorbidities are common and complex in adult CHD.
- Many complications remain undiagnosed, affecting patient outcomes.
- Proactive assessment by physicians is vital.
Conclusions:
- Physicians managing adult CHD patients must be vigilant for extracardiac complications.
- Active screening and assessment are necessary.
- Further research is needed to develop preventative and therapeutic options.
Abstract:
With the increasing number of adults living with repaired, or unrepaired, congenital heart disease, there is a growing incidence of extracardiac comorbidities. These comorbidities can affect various organ systems in complex ways, and may have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life and survival. Many of these potential complications may go undiagnosed until there is already a significant bearing on the patient's life. Therefore, it is important for physicians who care for the adult congenital patient to be mindful of these potential extracardiac complications, and actively assess for these complications in their adult congenital practice. Continued research to identify modifiable risk factors is needed so that both preventative and therapeutic management options for these extracardiac complications may be developed.
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