Clinical Profile of Congenital Heart Disease in Adolescents and Adults

Choi, Youngran; Lee, Heung Jae; Park, Seung Woo; Kang, I Seok; Min, Jiyeon; Park, Pyo Won; Lee, Won Ro

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Adult with congenital heart disease represents a new category of specialized cardiovascular interest that requires the cooperation of a number of medical and surgical disciplines, and also requires the interactions among traditional departmental jurisdiction. Uninterrupted, long-term continuity care is essential if the concerns inherent in this new and increasing patient population are to be addressed. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of congenital heart disease in adolescents and adults.
METHODS
Between October 1994 and July 1996, retrospective follow-up records and registry chart of 229 consecutive patients with congenital heart disease for over 16 years in GUCH (grown-up congenital heart) clinic were reviewed by a physician and a nurse specialist.
RESULTS
There were 126 female and 103 male GUCH patients with the mean age of 34+/-14.6 years old. Among the 229 patients, there were 179 natural survivors, those without cardiac repair, and 50 postoperative survivors. Congenital heart defects were 167 shunt legions, 17 obstructive and valvular legions, 14 tetralogy of Fallot, 15 complex congenital heart anomalies and 16 others. Among the 179 natural survivors; 122 (68%) required heart surgery or continuous medical surveillance, and among the 50 surgically repaired survivors; 37 (74%) required reoperation for residual heart defects, constant medical treatment or consultation from other medical divisions. The reasons for the hospital vistis were:cardiac operation or cardiac diagnosis in 128 (56%) patients, symptomatic heart conditions in 43 (19%), routine heart examinations since childhood in 31 (14%) and others in 27 (11%). Also, the patient compliances were higher in the GUCH clinic than the traditional departmental jurisdiction (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
To achieve continuing care for the patients with congenital heart disease in adolescents and adults, it is important to develope a specialized clinic addressing the specific needs of the congenital heart disease in adolescents and adults.