Epidemiology and Definition of Heart Failure in Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are facing lifelong complications, notably heart failure (HF). This review focuses on classifications, incidence, prevalence, and mortality of HF related to ACHD. Diagnosing HF in ACHD is intricate due to anatomic variations, necessitating comprehensive clinical evaluations. Hospitalizations and resource consumption for ACHD HF have significantly risen compared with non-ACHD HF patients. With more than 30% prevalence in complex cases, HF has become the leading cause of death in ACHD. These alarming trends underscore the insufficient understanding of ACHD-related HF manifestations and management challenges within the context of aging, complexity, and comorbidity.

Keywords: Chronic disease; Congenital heart disease; Heart failure; Prevalence; Risk factor.