Adult Congenital Heart Disease Research

Adults with congenital heart disease comprise one of the fastest growing populations within cardiology; 90 percent of all infants born with a congenital heart defect are expected to survive into adulthood. Yet for many reasons, most of the patients are lost to care after adolescence and present to cardiology care during a health crisis, requiring cardiac procedures and hospitalization.

Faculty at Nationwide Children’s Hospital are focused on evaluating and customizing treatments for adults with congenital heart disease in order to improve clinical outcomes for these patients.

Adult Congenital Heart Disease Research Faculty

Curt J. Daniels, MD

Latest Findings in Adult Congenital Heart Disease Research

Caregiver Anxiety upon Discharge for Neonates with Congenital Heart Disease

Parents of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) have been shown to be at an increased risk of having psychosocial morbidities including anxiety, depression, and somatization. Little is known about the anxiety level of these parents during the initial hospital course. The goal of this study was to evaluate the anxiety level of the parents at the time of hospital discharge and to determine if certain characteristics predict higher anxiety levels.

Access an abstract of this study: Caregiver Anxiety upon Discharge for Neonates with Congenital Heart Disease. Congenit Heart Dis. 2011 Dec 18. doi: 10.1111/j.1747-0803.2011.00600.x. [Epub ahead of print]

Catheterization for Congenital Heart Disease Adjustment for Risk Method (CHARM).

This study sought to develop a method to adjust for case mix complexity in catheterization for congenital heart disease to allow equitable comparisons of adverse event rates.

Access an abstract of this study: Catheterization for Congenital Heart Disease Adjustment for Risk Method (CHARM). JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2011 Sep;4(9):1037-46. 

Outcomes of Adult Congenital Heart Disease Patients Receiving Treatment at a Children’s Hospital

The optimal setting to provide adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) care remains a complex issue. Our study is the first to demonstrate 1) a low incidence of morbidity and mortality for ACHD patients undergoing cardiovascular procedures or admissions at a free-standing children's hospital, 2) outcomes comparable to pediatric congenital heart disease patients. Future models incorporating ACHD programs within pediatric heart centers should be considered to care for this complex population.

Access an abstract of this study: Quality outcomes of ACHD patients undergoing cardiovascular procedures and hospital admissions in a free-standing children's hospital. Int J Cardiol. 2011 Feb 3;146(3):326-9.

Study Identifies Factors That May Improve Patient Selection for Inducible Ventricular Arrhythmia Screening

In this study, nearly 30 percent of patients with adult congenital heart disease undergoing screening electrophysiology studies had inducible ventricular arrhythmia. A prolonged QRS duration, diminished exercise capacity, and the presence of ventricular fibrosis were significantly associated with findings positive for VA and might improve patient selection for screening evaluations.

Access an abstract of this study: Rate of inducible ventricular arrhythmia in adults with congenital heart disease. Am J Cardiol. 2010 Sep 1;106(5):730-6.