Characteristics of patients with adult congenital heart disease treated by non-specialized doctors: The potential loss of follow-up

Abstract

BackgroundIn the treatment of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), the transfer of patients from pediatric cardiologists to ACHD cardiologists is of relevance. However, little is known about the clinical courses of ACHD patients that have been referred by non-CHD-specialized doctors (n-CSDs). MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 230 patients (average age: 37 ± 15.2 years, male: 97) who were referred to a single specialized ACHD center between April 2016 and July 2019. We compared the characteristics and clinical courses between patients referred by n-CSDs and those referred by CHD-specialized-doctors (CSDs). ResultsOverall, 121 (53%) patients were referred by n-CSDs. Among them, 91 (75%) patients were referred by adult cardiologists. Univariate analysis showed that the patients referred by n-CSDs were older than those referred by CSDs (41.6 ± 16.3 vs. 32.0 ± 12.0 years, p < 0.01), were more likely to have simple CHD, and less likely to have severe CHD (27.0% vs. 12.8% and 16.5% vs. 40.4%, respectively, p < 0.01). Patients referred by n-CSDs were also more likely to have a history of loss of follow-up (16.5% vs. 3.7%, p < 0.01) and to require invasive treatments after referral, including cardiac surgeries and transcatheter interventions (47.9% vs. 26.6 %, p < 0.01). Notably, unintended invasive treatments that were not designated by the referring doctors were more frequently required in patients with moderate complexity referred by n-CSDs (50.0% vs. 23.3%, p = 0.02). ConclusionsPatients with moderate CHD complexity referred by n-CSDs are more likely to require unintended invasive treatments. Referrals to specialized ACHD centers may be most beneficial for these patients.