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Preoperative Evaluation of Adult Congenital Heart Disease Patients for Non-cardiac Surgery

  • Congenital Heart Disease (RA Krasuski, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Highlight the extracardiac comorbidities that adult congenital heart disease patients and summarize the current recommendations for non-cardiac surgery.

Recent Findings

Adult congenital heart disease patients are living longer, becoming more complex and developing adult comorbidities as they age. These patients have multiorgan involvement including higher prevalence of kidney disease and decreased lung function. Non-cardiac comorbidities can complicate surgery in this patient population. Most patients have non-cardiac surgery in community settings. These settings may increase adverse events during and in the post-operative period. Survival is improved when moderate and complex patients are seen in regional referral centers.

Summary

Improved awareness of long-term complications of congenital heart disease and extracardiac comorbidities for adult congenital heart disease patients is needed. Appropriate care settings with both congenital heart disease expertise and adult subspecialty care reduces morbidity and mortality in these complex patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Jennifer F. Gerardin & Michael G. Earing

  2. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, 8915 W. Connell Ct., P.O. Box 1997, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA

    Jennifer F. Gerardin & Michael G. Earing

  3. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Michael G. Earing

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  1. Jennifer F. Gerardin
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Correspondence to Jennifer F. Gerardin.

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Jennifer F. Gerardin and Michael G. Earing declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Congenital Heart Disease

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Gerardin, J.F., Earing, M.G. Preoperative Evaluation of Adult Congenital Heart Disease Patients for Non-cardiac Surgery. Curr Cardiol Rep 20, 76 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-018-1016-5

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