Long-Term Follow-Up of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

Survival for individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD) has greatly improved over the past several decades. There are now more adults than children with CHD. However, while survival has improved to adulthood, mortality in patients with CHD has shifted to adulthood. There is also significant morbidity in residual cardiac and noncardiac conditions. Additionally, acquired cardiovascular disease is a remaining issue as they reach elder years. This chapter will focus on the long-term issues that these individuals face in adulthood. Lifelong follow-up is imperative in order to improve the long-term outcome and quality of life of this vulnerable patient population.