Adults With Congenital Heart Disease—a New, Expanding Group of Patients

Brigitte Stiller1, Sebastian Grundmann, René Höhn

  • 1Department of Congenital Heart Defects and Pediatric Cardiology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany; Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany; German Heart Center Berlin, Department of Congenital Heart Surgery - Pediatric Heart Surgery, Berlin; German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Berlin, Germany; Department of Cardiology III: Adult Congenital and Valvular Heart Disease, University Hospital of Münster.

Insights

Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) require specialized lifelong care. Multidisciplinary management by primary care physicians and cardiologists is essential for optimal treatment of this growing patient population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Congenital heart anomalies affect ~1% of newborns, with over 90% surviving to adulthood.
  • This growing population necessitates specialized care beyond pediatric cardiology.
  • Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) require lifelong management.

Conclusions:

  • Care for ACHD is a multidisciplinary effort.
  • Primary care physicians must provide basic care.
  • Specialized cardiologists are essential for optimal, individualized treatment.
Abstract

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