Source: EmaxHealth, 11/8/08
Today, most children born with CHD have a good chance of living well into adulthood, thanks to research and innovation. However, the increasing adult CHD population poses a problem - many adult cardiologists are unfamiliar with the resulting heart anatomy and physiology that results from surgical repair. Adults with CHDs are encouraged to see specialists that are familiar and experienced with CHD. Check out Kansas City's Fox Affiliate for a recent health update and interview!
In an effort to assist cardiologists in their every day decisions for adults with CHD, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have jointly released a comprehensive set of practice guidelines. The guidelines—the first of their kind in the United States—appear in the December 2, 2008, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).
ACC/AHA 2008 Guidelines for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease include:- Given current surgical mortalities of less than 5%, in the next decade almost 1 in 150 young adults will have some form of congenital heart disease (CHD).
- There should be enhanced education of adult cardiovascular specialists and pediatric cardiologists in the pathophysiology and management of adult CHD (ACHD) patients.
- Practitioners are provided with logical well-conceived care plans for patients with simple (e.g., isolated small VSD), moderate (e.g., tetralogy of Fallot) and complex (e.g., cyanotic congenital heart defects) lesions.
- Consultation before pregnancy, including genetic counseling, so that both men and women with ACHD should have a thorough understanding of the risks of transmitting CHD to their offspring.
- ACHD patients should carry a complete medical “passport,” listing specifics of their past and current medical history and contact information for immediate access to data.
- A formal transition process should be used to help teenagers and young adults cross the bridge from their pediatric cardiologist to an adult cardiologist.
- ACHD patients must be informed of their potential risk for infective endocarditis and should be provided with the AHA wallet card with instructions for prophylaxis.
- Outreach and education programs should be organized to bring patients back into the healthcare system if they are no longer receiving appropriate care and follow-up.
- Health care should be coordinated by regional ACHD centers of excellence.
- Every ACHD should have a primary care physician
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