[What congenital heart diseases may cause problems in adulthood?]

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

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease

Published on: July 18, 2014

Laurence Iserin1

  • 1Unité des cardiopathies congénitales de l'adulte, Hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, et centre de référence des malformations cardiaques congénitales complexes (M3C), service de cardiologie pédiatrique, hôpital Necker, 75015 Paris, France. laurence.iserin@egp.aphp.fr

La Revue Du Praticien
|May 22, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Adults with congenital heart disease now outnumber children born with these conditions. This growing population faces lifelong risks, including heart failure and arrhythmias, highlighting the need for continued specialized care.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Context:

  • The increasing survival of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) into adulthood is a major success of modern cardiac care.
  • Adults with CHD now outnumber pediatric cases, representing a significant and growing patient demographic.

Purpose:

  • To review the unique challenges and complications faced by the adult population with congenital heart disease.
  • To identify high-risk situations and critical transition periods for adults with CHD.

Summary:

  • Adults with CHD, even those with native disease, often experience long-term issues like arrhythmias, heart failure (particularly right-sided), endocarditis, and pulmonary hypertension.
  • Patients with more complex CHD are at higher risk for adverse outcomes.
  • Loss of follow-up during the transition from pediatric to adult care is a critical risk factor.

Impact:

  • Highlights the evolving landscape of cardiovascular medicine, emphasizing lifelong management of CHD.
  • Underscores the importance of specialized adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) programs and seamless care transitions to mitigate complications and improve long-term patient outcomes.

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