Congenital Heart Disease in the Older Adult

A scientific statement on the treatment of people older than 40 with congenital heart disease

Sponsoring Organization: American Heart Association (AHA)

Target Audience: General cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, pediatric cardiologists, electrophysiologists, interventionists, and cardiac imagers

Target Population: Adults older than 40 with congenital heart disease (HD)

Background and Objective

This scientific statement focuses on the natural history, consequences of childhood repair, and/or late initial diagnosis of congenital heart disease in the older adult. This population is unique and distinct from pediatric and young adults with congenital HD. This statement is intended to complement the 2008 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/AHA guidelines for adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD).

Key Points

For simple congenital HD conditi…

Reviewing Author

Joel M. Gore, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH–National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute