The Whole Adult Congenital Heart Disease Patient

Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) have unique medical and psychosocial needs. They require lifelong cardiac surveillance from medical providers with training and expertise in the care of adults with CHD. Patients with CHD must recognize the importance of ongoing surveillance and must not be lost to care in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. This can be accomplished with the implementation of a comprehensive transition program with the collaboration of patients, parents, and both pediatric and adult health care providers. Finally, consideration of the “whole” patient demands recognition of the unique medical and psychosocial challenges of adults with CHD.