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The need for cardiac follow-up in adults with mild congenital cardiac disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2006

Mascha Kamphuis
Affiliation:
Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Leiden, The Netherlands Department of Cardiology, Leiden, The Netherlands TNO Prevention and Health, Leiden, The Netherlands
Hubert W. Vliegen
Affiliation:
Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands Department of Cardiology, Leiden, The Netherlands
Ton Vogels
Affiliation:
TNO Prevention and Health, Leiden, The Netherlands
Koos H. Zwinderman
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Ernst E. van der Wall
Affiliation:
Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands Department of Cardiology, Leiden, The Netherlands
S. Pauline Verloove-Vanhorick
Affiliation:
Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands Department of Paediatrics, Leiden, The Netherlands TNO Prevention and Health, Leiden, The Netherlands
Jaap Ottenkamp
Affiliation:
Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Leiden, The Netherlands Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract

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.

Type
Original Study
Copyright
2002 Cambridge University Press

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