Congenital heart disease in the adult: clinical approach

J K Perloff1

  • 1Department of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine 90024-1679.

Insights

Advances in care have increased longevity for children with congenital heart disease. This has led to a growing need for specialized adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) care, including imaging expertise.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)

Background:

  • Significant improvements in pediatric cardiac care have led to increased survival rates.
  • Congenital heart disease (CHD) in adults is now a recognized and growing subspecialty.
  • Multidisciplinary centers are emerging for comprehensive ACHD management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the emergence and scope of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) as a subspecialty.
  • To draw attention to the imaging aspects of ACHD for radiologists.
  • To foster interest in the diagnostic challenges and management of ACHD.

Main Methods:

  • Review of survival patterns (unoperated and post-intervention).
  • Analysis of medical and surgical considerations in ACHD.
  • Examination of postoperative sequelae and residua.

Main Results:

  • Increased longevity in patients with CHD has created a new adult patient population.
  • ACHD encompasses diverse clinical aspects, including long-term outcomes and complications.
  • Radiologists play a crucial role in diagnosing and managing ACHD.

Conclusions:

  • ACHD requires specialized, multidisciplinary care pathways.
  • Radiological imaging is essential for understanding the complex anatomy and physiology of ACHD.
  • Further engagement of radiologists is needed to address the imaging needs of the ACHD population.

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