title: Congenital heart diseases in adults: a review of echocardiogram records in enugu, South-East Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Congenital abnormalities of the heart and cardiovascular system are reported in almost 1% of live births, and about half of these children need medical or surgical help in infancy. In the first decade, a further 25% require surgery to maintain or improve their life. Only 10% survive to adolescence without treatment. Of these 10%, however, many live a normal life for years before their abnormality is discovered.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to find the most common congenital heart diseases in adults presenting for echocardiographic examination in Enugu, and to determine whether there are any gender differences in frequency.
  
  
  METHODS
  The consecutive echocardiogram reports of 5058 adults done over a period of 9 years (2003-2012) were retrospectively reviewed. All adults who had congenital anomaly on transthoracic echocardiography were included in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Congenital heart diseases were found in 115 adults representing 2.5% of the adult population (115/4539). The most common congenital anomalies were ventricular septal defects (VSD) - 31.3%, (36/115), atrial septal defects - 28.7% (33/115) and tetralogy of fallot - 10.4% (12/115).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VSD are the most common congenital heart diseases in adults presenting for echocardiographic examination in Enugu, Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ec
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ejim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bc
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Anisiuba
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ni
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oguanobi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bc
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ubani-Ukoma
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Uc
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nwaneli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ugwu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: So
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ike
keywords: Adults; Congenital heart diseases; Echocardiography; Nigeria