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Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Neurocognitive Impairment and Its Long-term Impact on Adults With Congenital Heart Disease
Scott Cohen1, Michael G Earing1
1Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States of America; Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States of America.
Insights
Adult survivors with congenital heart disease (ACHD) often experience cognitive dysfunction, impacting quality of life. Understanding and addressing this under-recognized issue may improve long-term outcomes for ACHD patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Adult survivors with congenital heart disease (ACHD) face risks of non-cardiac comorbidities.
- Cognitive dysfunction is a prevalent yet under-recognized complication in ACHD.
- Impaired cognition significantly affects quality of life, including social and professional aspects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of cognitive dysfunction in ACHD.
- To explore the prevalence, impact, and management strategies for cognitive dysfunction in ACHD.
- To highlight the need for further research and intervention in this area.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on cognitive function in adult congenital heart disease survivors.
- Synthesis of data on prevalence, clinical impact, and management approaches.
- Analysis of the association between cognitive dysfunction and quality of life in ACHD.
Main Results:
- Cognitive dysfunction is common in ACHD and significantly impacts daily living.
- The full scope of cognitive dysfunction's impact on ACHD morbidity is not well understood.
- Cognitive dysfunction represents a potentially modifiable risk factor in ACHD.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive dysfunction is a critical, understudied issue in ACHD survivors.
- Interventions targeting cognitive dysfunction may improve outcomes for ACHD patients.
- Further research is essential to fully understand and manage cognitive dysfunction in ACHD.
Abstract:
It is well-recognized now that adult survivors with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are at risk for non-cardiac co-morbidities and complications that can impact symptoms and clinical outcomes. Cognitive dysfunction, in particular, is common in this population, but likely an under-recognized and undertreated cause for long-term morbidity. Abnormal cognitive function has a major impact on all aspects of quality of life, including employment opportunities, educational attainment, and the ability to maintain meaningful social relationships, such as marriage. The association and impact of cognitive dysfunction in ACHD is not fully understood and continues to be understudied. Nevertheless, cognitive dysfunction may be a potentially modifiable risk factor in this population that is amenable to intervention, which may in-turn translate to improved outcomes. This review summarizes our current understanding of the prevalence, impact, and management of cognitive dysfunction in ACHD.
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