[Adult congenital heart disease: Medical and psychosocial issues].
The population of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) is continuously increasing with now a higher prevalence than that of the pediatric population. This concerns above all complex congenital heart diseases. Heart failure is the primary cause of death followed by arrhythmia, which is very common in ACHD. A specialized follow-up by dedicated centers is significantly associated with an improvement of survival of ACHD patients compared to non-expert follow-up. Extracardiac disorders (liver, kidney, respiratory) are frequent and require an accurate and specific management. The psychosocial impact, particularly the professional difficulties, is common and may require implementation of appropriate measures to improve the patient social life. Unplanned pregnancy and/or a lack of information about contraception may induce severe cardiovascular complications in ACHD women. Education about contraceptive methods at adolescence and pre-conceptional counseling are requested in this population.
Hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, unité des cardiopathies congénitales de l'adultes, cardiologie, centre de référence des malformations cardiaques congénitales complexes, M3C, 20, rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris France. Electronic address: magalie.ladouceur@aphp.fr.
Magalie
M
Ladouceur
Hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, unité des cardiopathies congénitales de l'adultes, cardiologie, centre de référence des malformations cardiaques congénitales complexes, M3C, 20, rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris France.
Florence
F
Pontnau
Hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, unité des cardiopathies congénitales de l'adultes, cardiologie, centre de référence des malformations cardiaques congénitales complexes, M3C, 20, rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris France.
Laurence
L
Iserin
D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003267:Contraception; D019468:Disease Management; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D011788:Quality of Life