The need for cardiac follow-up in adults with mild congenital cardiac disease.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the need for continuing cardiac surveillance in adults with hemodynamically insignificant congenital cardiac disease.


METHODS
In 82 patients with mild congenital cardiac malformations, aged from 17 to 32 years, we investigated the subjective health status, the health-related quality of life, any difficulties encountered in daily life, the regularity of follow-up, current diagnosis, and antibiotic prophylaxis.


RESULTS
The subjective health status, and the health-related quality of life, did not differ from those of the general population. Nevertheless, patients experienced unnecessary difficulties with choice of sport, obtaining insurance cover, and education. After clinical re-evaluation, diagnosis and antibiotic regimes had to be changed in 9 patients (11%).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with a mild congenital cardiac malformation consider themselves to be in good health. So as to fine tune the diagnosis, and update the information supplied to the patients, we suggest that at least a cardiological assessment be carried out at the age of 16 to 18 years. In this way, patients might be protected from unnecessary difficulties, such as restrictions for sport or the charging of unjustifiably high rates for insurance.
Kamphuis
Mascha
M
Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Vliegen
Hubert W
HW
Vogels
Ton
T
Zwinderman
Koos H
KH
van der Wall
Ernst E
EE
Verloove-Vanhorick
S Pauline
SP
Ottenkamp
Jaap
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires