Congenital heart disease in adults: Catheterization laboratory considerations

Abstract

Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects and represent an increasing proportion of adolescent and adult patients followed by cardiologists. While many of these patients have undergone successful palliative or corrective surgery with excellent functional results, most of them still require careful follow-up. Further, even complex lesions may first be diagnosed in adolescence and adulthood. Therefore, cardiologists caring for adults need to become more familiar with these defects. Assessment of the patient with known or suspected congenital heart defects requires a careful history, physical examination, and noninvasive assessment. In addition, the catheterization laboratory remains a critical venue for diagnosis and, increasingly, therapy. Pressure measurements, oximetry, and angiography remain cornerstones of diagnosis in selected patients and a variety of interventional procedures have become viable therapeutic alternatives in both pre- and postoperative patients.

Report of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Working Group on Research in Adult Congenital Heart Disease

“…Because issues in the diagnosis and treatment of ACHD are well-reviewed elsewhere (1)(2)(3)(4)(5), this report focuses primarily on defining the areas of greatest research need.…”

Congenital Heart Diseases in Aged Patients

“…Cardiac catheterization is not necessary for complete diagnosis but remains a critical technique for detecting underlying coronary artery atherosclerosis and for planning interventions. 27 Not surprisingly, this study identifies catheter-based techniques as a promising therapeutic technique for treating simple CHDs in this class of patients. Recently, percutaneous device occlusion of ASD and PFO has proved to be safe and effective in adult and elderly patients with pulmonary hypertension offering significant and prolonged relief, 28,29 even in the case of large ASAs.…”

Surgical repair of combination of Addison’s Disease and secundum type atrial septal defect and our postoperative follow-up principles

“…Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects and represent an increasing proportion of adolescent. While many of these patients have undergone successful palliative or corrective surgery with excellent functional results [ 5 ].…”

“…Assessment of the patient with known or suspected congenital heart defects requires a careful history, physical examination, and noninvasive assessment [ 5 ]. Echocardiography was the most frequently used investigative modality in all defect sizes and types [ 9 ].…”