Review article

https://doi.org/10.15836/ccar.2015.3

Adult congenital heart disease treatment problems in Croatia: Organization in a tertiary center and report of three cases

Maja Strozzi ; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Margarita Brida ; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Darko Anić ; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Due to the growing number of patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), although their exact number and distribution in Croatia is not yet known, monitoring and treating these patients in specialized centers has become a necessity. Their number is estimated at 12 000, and in most cases these patients will require one or more surgical procedures due to complications later in life. The recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology include guidelines on the necessary number of specialized centers and their organization. Organization of such a center has begun in the Zagreb Clinical Hospital Center. This article describes the first steps being taken, which include setting up a clinic for ACHD, regular multidisciplinary councils, formation of a patient registry, and first steps towards educating the cardiologic community. A large number of patients were examined in the Center recently, providing insight into the specific problems in this patient population; we will present three cases here. The first is a woman with a surgically repaired tetralogy of Fallot but with an improperly diagnosed and treated case of arrhythmia, which can lead to serious clinical deterioration. The second patient is a woman with a case of corrected transposition that went undiagnosed due to a lack of experience on part of the cardiologist. Although the patient has not experienced significant difficulties, they are expected in the future, making a correct diagnosis extremely important. The third case is a typical ACHD patient, a woman that had undergone numerous surgeries in childhood in a constant search for a long-term solution, which in this case was a non-surgical valve replacement at aortic position. This overview also outlines specific challenges faced when treating young people who put especially high value on the quality of life.

Keywords

congenital heart diseases; adults; organization; registry; transposition of the great arteries; tetralogy of Fallot

Hrčak ID:

139264

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/139264

Publication date:

13.3.2015.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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