CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is defined as a cardiovascular defect that is present since birth. Due to substantial medical and surgical advances, the majority of patients with CHD now survive into adulthood and form an exponentially growing population of more than 1,000,000 in the USA. Despite improved survival, it has become apparent that timely interventions are reparative and not curative with significant sequelae and residual hemodynamic lesions in most cases. The complexity of the anatomy and physiology of patients with CHD presents physicians with challenges that are unique to this population. Thus, familiarization with the principles of management of patients with CHD is essential. This book chapter provides an introduction to the most prevalent CHD lesions and summarizes specific issues which are topical to adult patients with CHD.