Managing transition - Medical follow-up care for adults with congenital heart defects

Abstract

Currently, due to medical advances, more than 500 000 patients with congenital heart defects (CHD) are living in Germany, including more than 330 000 adults. In CHD, the aspect of transition from childhood and adolescence to adulthood is becoming increasingly important to ensure long-term success of the provided treatments. This is so important because despite primarily successful treatments, residua and sequels as well as (non-) cardiac comorbidities may influence the chronic course of the disease and lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Adults with congenital heart defects in Germany are insufficiently managed by existing specialized and accredited care structures, despite the great need for follow-up, and their care is largely provided by primary care physicians (general practitioners and internists) and non-specialized cardiologists.Optimized, future-oriented care requires regular follow-up and the possibility of interdisciplinary, integrated medical care of CHD in the long-term course.