Brain vascular changes in adults with congenital heart disease: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Cardiology and Neurology
• Neuroimaging in Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)

Background:

• Limited data exists on brain integrity in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) compared to pediatric populations.
• Adult CHD survivors are at a significantly higher risk of developing dementia.
• The growing population of adults with CHD presents a critical need for understanding brain health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing neuroimaging literature concerning brain health in adults with CHD.
• To identify key challenges and discuss methodological issues in studying brain integrity in this population.
• To raise awareness regarding the importance of brain health assessments in adults with CHD.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of neuroimaging studies in adult congenital heart disease.
• Analysis of existing research on biomarkers for vascular damage, brain aging, and cognitive impairment.
• Discussion of methodological considerations for future research in the field.

Main Results:

• Adults with CHD exhibit a nearly twofold increased incidence of dementia compared to the general population.
• Neuroimaging studies are essential for detecting early signs of vascular damage and cognitive decline.
• There is a significant gap in knowledge regarding long-term brain health in adults with CHD.

Conclusions:

• Brain health is a critical concern for the rapidly expanding population of adults with CHD.
• Further neuroradiological investigations are necessary to understand and mitigate risks of cognitive impairment.
• Proactive brain health monitoring in adults with CHD is vital to address future healthcare and social impacts.