Outcome in congenital heart disease

Largely as a result of advances in cardiac surgery, at least 85% of children with children with congenital heart disease can expect to survive to adult life. As a consequence, there will soon be more adults than children with congenital heart disease in the United Kingdom. Although most of this group are well, a significant number will require long-term follow-up including re-operation and treatment for cardiac arrhythmias. Many will also have significant co-morbidity including learning difficulties. This is a highly specialized field that has led to the development of a new specialty-adult congenital heart disease. Close cooperation is essential between paediatric and adult congenital heart specialists and carefully planned transition to adult follow-up is essential.