Transition of care in congenital heart disease from pediatrics to adulthood

Abstract

Improvement in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and perioperative care has resulted in the majority of children born with congenital heart defects surviving into adulthood with a normal or near-normal quality of life. A careful transition from pediatric to adult care providers is important to avoid issues related to loss of continuity of care and any undue financial or psychological burdens to the patients and their families. The patients, their families, and the health care providers are faced with many challenges during this transition process that can be optimized and overcome by education about the heart defects and a team approach with clear lines of communication. This review addresses the challenges related to the transition of care from pediatrics to adults and provides the necessary recommendations to ensure a smooth transition process.

Keywords: Cardiac surgery; Congenital heart disease; Health care transition; Quality of life.