Adult patients with congenital heart disease

Abstract

Adult patients with congenital heart disease present complex problems that require individualized management. Unfortunately, few physicians who care for adults with congenital heart disease have received adequate specific training to deal with their problems. Pediatric cardiologists who are familiar with congenital heart disease often refer patients to adult cardiologists after adolescence. And adult cardiologists have not traditionally had much training or experience in dealing with congenital heart disease. The cardiac needs of these patients are often best managed through the collaborative efforts of adult and pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, specialized nurse clinicians, and social workers. Of course, it is crucial to their optimal care that there be involvement of a primary care physician who can help with their many medical, surgical, and psychosocial problems.