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[Congenital heart defects in adults worldwide and in the Czech Republic]
F Kölbel1, K Hlavácek, L Kameník
11. interní klinika 2. LF UK, Praha.
Insights
Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) presents unique challenges. This study analyzed over 1200 ACHD patients, detailing common defects and surgical interventions, advocating for specialized care centers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)
Context:
- ACHD is an emerging subspecialty in cardiology.
- The First Medical Clinic has collected data on over 1200 ACHD patients from Bohemia and Moravia.
- Specific diagnostic, therapeutic, social, and economic issues affect ACHD patients.
Purpose:
- To analyze the prevalence of different congenital heart defects in adult patients.
- To evaluate surgical treatment rates for various congenital heart conditions.
- To discuss the development of specialized centers for ACHD care and propose establishing one in the Czech Republic.
Summary:
- The study identified atrial septal defects (25.7%) as the most frequent, followed by ventricular septal defects (25.0%) and coarctation of the aorta (12.4%).
- Surgical intervention was performed on 50.3% of patients, with high rates for patent ductus arteriosus (83.8%), coarctation of the aorta (82.8%), and atrial septal defects (60.5%).
- The paper reviews international models for specialized ACHD centers and advocates for their establishment in the Czech Republic.
Impact:
- Highlights the growing need for specialized care for adults with congenital heart disease.
- Provides epidemiological data on ACHD in the Czech Republic.
- Informs the development of dedicated ACHD services and centers to improve patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Congenital heart disease of adults is a new area of cardiology with specific diagnostic, therapeutic, social and economic problems of these patients. The First Medical Clinic of the Second Medical Faculty, Charles University assembled so far data on more than 1200 adult patients with congenital heart disease from different districts in Bohemia and Moravia. Atrial septal defects are recorded most frequently (25.7%), followed by ventricular septal defects (25.0%) and coarctation of the aorta (12.4%). 50.3% of the patients were treated by surgery, most frequently patients with a patent ductus arteriosus--in 83.8%, with coarctation of the aorta (82.8%) and an atrial septal defect (60.5%). The authors review reasons why for the care of these patients in other countries specialized centres developed and the foundation of such a centre in the Czech Republic is discussed.