Congenital heart disease in the adult.
On the basis of literary data and of their own series of 264 adult patients, who were in 1978-1982 subjected to invasive haemodynamic examination for congenital heart disease, 162 patients operated on, and 128 patients followed up for long-term periods after surgical treatment of congenital heart disease in adult age, the authors analyse the causes of late recognition of the disease, operative complications and long-term operative results. It is pointed out that a haemodynamically serious congenital heart disease is indicated for surgical correction even in adult age, and that age itself does not represent a limitation to cardiosurgical intervention. In adult age, it is necessary to anticipate a greater number of complications and a more severe post-operative course, but the long-term results are very good.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation