Key result
Single ventricle morphology shows no difference in long-term outcomes despite more comorbidities than siblings.
Why the study?
Is ventricular morphology associated with differences in quality of life and long-term outcomes among adults with single ventricle congenital heart disease?
Cross-Sectional (n=266)
Yes
Is ventricular morphology associated with differences in quality of life and long-term outcomes among adults with single ventricle congenital heart disease?
Among adults with single ventricle congenital heart disease, ventricular morphology is not associated with differences in long-term quality of life or socioeconomic outcomes, though SV patients face more medical and socioeconomic challenges than their siblings.
No morphology-related outcome differences in SV CHD; leaves open identification of modifiable factors beyond ventricular anatomy.
BACKGROUND Among individuals with single ventricle (SV) congenital heart disease (CHD), systemic right ventricle morphology is associated with decreased survival compared to systemic left ventricle morphology. We aimed to determine the association of ventricular morphology with quality of life and medical, neurocognitive, socioeconomic outcomes and compare these between SV CHD patients and siblings. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional cohort study using data from CHD PULSE (Congenital Heart Disease Project to Understand Lifelong Survivor Experience), a survey conducted from 2021-2023 among adults with CHD interventions and siblings across 11 US Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium centers. Quality of life was assessed by PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) surveys. RESULTS We included 226 SV patients (146 left and 80 right ventricular) and 40 siblings. No outcome differences were found between left and right ventricular groups. Compared to siblings, SV patients reported more medical comorbidities (p<0.001), future health concerns (0.008), disability benefits (p<0.001), and work affected by health (p<0.001). Siblings had higher rates of college/graduate degrees (p=0.002) and employment (p=0.044). However, 95.6% of SV patients completed high school, 45.6% had college/graduate degrees, and 73.9% were employed. SV patients had lower PROMIS scores for global mental health and physical function but similar scores for global physical health, cognitive function, anxiety, depression, and ability to participate in social roles. CONCLUSIONS Ventricular morphology was not associated with differences in long-term outcomes. Adults with SV CHD have medical, neurocognitive, and socioeconomic differences compared to siblings, but similar PROMIS scores compared to the general population.
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Zearfoss et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Single ventricle congenital heart disease (n=266). Single ventricle congenital heart disease (left vs right morphology) vs. Siblings was evaluated on Quality of life and medical, neurocognitive, and socioeconomic outcomes. Single ventricle morphology was not associated with differences in long-term outcomes, though patients had more medical comorbidities (p<0.001) and disability benefits (p<0.001) than siblings.
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