Key result
Between 1996-2005 and 2006-2015, the number of adult congenital heart disease patients in follow-up increased by 109%, with outpatient visits increasing by 195%.
Why the study?
Population-based studies show a steady increase in adult patients with congenital heart defects, but the impact on clinical care workload at tertiary centres is unclear.
Cohort (n=1,725)
No
The growing number and complexity of adult survivors with congenital heart disease significantly increases clinical workload, necessitating more resources in adult cardiology.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Substantial ACHD follow-up growth raises clinical workload; supports resource planning but leaves optimal models open.
BACKGROUND: Population based studies show a steady increase in adult patients with congenital heart defects. The aim of this study was to assess the evolution of such a patient cohort and its burden on clinical care at a dedicated tertiary care centre. METHODS: All patients with congenital heart disease followed up by a dedicated multidisciplinary team at our institution were identified (n = 1725). Disease characteristics, the increase in patient numbers and interventions and the increase in selected complications were analysed and compared between the first (1996-2005) and second (2006-2015) decades of the study period. RESULTS: Between the two decades of the study period, the number of patients in follow-up increased by 109%, the number of patients who died or underwent transplantation more than doubled and the number of outpatient visits increased by 195%. One fourth of all patients underwent at least one surgical procedure and 14% had at least one percutaneous intervention. The increase in surgical procedures between the two decades was 27% and the increase in percutaneous interventions 159%. Between the two decades the number of patients requiring direct current cardioversion increased from 32 to 95 (+197%), the number of patients requiring admission for infective endocarditis increased from 7 to 29 (+314%) and the number of women followed up during pregnancy increased from 18 to 115 (+539%). CONCLUSION: As a result of the increasing number and complexity of adult survivors with congenital heart disease more resources will be needed to cope with the demands of this novel cohort of complex patients in adult cardiology.
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Padrutt et al. (2017) conducted a cohort in congenital heart disease (n=1,725). Second decade of study period (2006-2015) vs. First decade of study period (1996-2005) was evaluated on Evolution of patient cohort and clinical care burden (patient numbers, interventions, and complications). Between 1996-2005 and 2006-2015, the number of adult congenital heart disease patients in follow-up increased by 109%, with outpatient visits increasing by 195%.
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