Acquired cardiovascular disease in adults with congenital heart disease.

Thanks to better diagnosis, successful surgery, treatment and follow-up care, more and more people with congenital heart disease are becoming adults and even reaching older age. The effects of general cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) risks such as smoking and obesity during their life modifies the outlook and late treatment plans and treatment actions of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). Their disease is changing from congenital to acquired heart disease, which is a concern. Also, the complex background of ACHD often limits general practitioners or adult cardiologists from taking the right preventive action. This document gives an up-to-date overview of acquired heart disease in ACHD patients and guidance on prevention for cardiologists. The aim is to provide clinical consensus to advise on prevention in a practical and simple-to-follow way.

Link to full article.

Brida M, De Rosa S, Legendre A, Ladouceur M, Dos Subira L, Scognamiglio G, Di Mario C, Roos-Hesselink J, Goossens E, Diller G, Gatzoulis MA. Acquired cardiovascular disease in adults with congenital heart disease. Eur Heart J. 2023 Nov 14;44(43):4533-4548. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad570. PMID: 37758198.

Prepared by Prof Jolien Roos-Hesselink and Simone Louisse