Cardiovascular Complications of Down Syndrome: Scoping Review and Expert Consensus.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with Down syndrome. Congenital heart disease is the most common cardiovascular condition in this group, present in up to 50% of people with Down syndrome and contributing to poor outcomes. Additional factors contributing to cardiovascular outcomes include pulmonary hypertension; coexistent pulmonary, endocrine, and metabolic diseases; and risk factors for atherosclerotic disease. Moreover, disparities in the cardiovascular care of people with Down syndrome compared with the general population, which vary across different geographies and health care systems, further contribute to cardiovascular mortality; this issue is often overlooked by the wider medical community. This review focuses on the diagnosis, prevalence, and management of cardiovascular disease encountered in people with Down syndrome and summarizes available evidence in 10 key areas relating to Down syndrome and cardiac disease, from prenatal diagnosis to disparities in care in areas of differing resource availability. All specialists and nonspecialist clinicians providing care for people with Down syndrome should be aware of best clinical practice in all aspects of care of this distinct population.

Special Considerations for Mechanical Circulatory Support or Device Therapy in Adult Congenital Heart Disease Heart Failure.

Heart failure has become the leading cause of mortality in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients after the fifth decade of life. There is scanty evidence supporting the use of guideline-directed medical therapy in ACHD, especially in systemic right ventricle or single ventricle physiology. In complex patients, diagnosing heart failure and timely referral for advanced therapies are challenging. Mechanical circulatory support has been significantly developed over the past decade and has recently emerged as a feasible therapeutic option for these patients. This review summarizes current evidence of mechanical circulatory support in this population, its potential uses, and challenges.

The CRASH report: emergency management dilemmas facing acute physicians in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Treatment of acute emergencies in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can be challenging. In the UK and Ireland, management of adult patients with PAH is centred in eight nationally designated pulmonary hypertension (PH) centres. However, many patients live far from these centres and physicians in local hospitals are often required to manage PAH emergencies. A committee of physicians from nationally designated PH centres identified the 'most common' emergency clinical scenarios encountered in patients with PAH. Thereafter, a review of the literature was performed centred on these specified topics and a management approach was developed based on best available evidence and expert consensus. Management protocols were developed on the following PAH emergencies: chest pain (including myocardial ischaemia), right ventricular failure, arrhythmias, sepsis, haemoptysis ('CRASH'), as well as considerations relevant to surgery, anaesthesia and pregnancy. Emergencies are not uncommon in PAH. While expertise in PAH management is essential, all physicians involved in acute care should be aware of the principles of acute management of PAH emergencies. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary, with physicians from tertiary PH centres supporting care locally and planning safe transfer of patients to PH centres when appropriate.

Depression requiring anti-depressant drug therapy in adult congenital heart disease: prevalence, risk factors, and prognostic value.

BACKGROUND: Depression is prevalent in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD), but limited data on the frequency of anti-depressant drug (ADD) therapy and its impact on outcome are available. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified all ACHD patients treated with ADDs between 2000 and 2011 at our centre. Of 6162 patients under follow-up, 204 (3.3%) patients were on ADD therapy. The majority of patients were treated with selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (67.4%), while only 17.0% of patients received tricyclic anti-depressants. Twice as many female patients used ADDs compared with males (4.4 vs. 2.2%, P < 0.0001). The percentage of patients on ADDs increased with disease complexity (P < 0.0001) and patient age (P < 0.0001). Over a median follow-up of 11.1 years, 507 (8.2%) patients died. After propensity score matching, ADD use was found to be significantly associated with worse outcome in male ACHD patients [hazard ratio 1.44 (95% confidence interval 1.17-1.84)]. There was no evidence that this excess mortality was directly related to ADD therapy, QT-prolongation, or malignant arrhythmias. However, males taking ADDs were also more likely to miss scheduled follow-up appointments compared with untreated counterparts, while no such difference in clinic attendance was seen in females. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ADD therapy in ACHD relates to gender, age, and disease complexity. Although, twice as many female patients were on ADDs, it were their male counterparts, who were at increased mortality risk on therapy. Furthermore, males on ADDs had worse adherence to scheduled appointments suggesting the need for special medical attention and possibly psychosocial intervention for this group of patients.

Survival Prospects and Circumstances of Death in Contemporary Adult Congenital Heart Disease Patients Under Follow-Up at a Large Tertiary Centre.

BACKGROUND: Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients have ongoing morbidity and reduced long-term survival. Recently, the importance of specialized follow-up at tertiary ACHD centers has been highlighted. We aimed to assess survival prospects and clarify causes of death in a large cohort of patients at a single, tertiary center. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 6969 adult patients (age 29.9 ± 15.4 years) under follow-up at our institution between 1991 and 2013. Causes of death were ascertained from official death certificates. Survival was compared with the expected survival in the general age- and sex-matched population, and standardized mortality rates were calculated. Over a median follow-up time of 9.1 years (interquartile range, 5.2-14.5), 524 patients died. Leading causes of death were chronic heart failure (42%), pneumonia (10%), sudden-cardiac death (7%), cancer (6%), and hemorrhage (5%), whereas perioperative mortality was comparatively low. Isolated simple defects exhibited mortality rates similar to those in the general population, whereas patients with Eisenmenger syndrome, complex congenital heart disease, and Fontan physiology had much poorer long-term survival (P<0.0001 for all). The probability of cardiac death decreased with increasing patient's age, whereas the proportion of patients dying from noncardiac causes, such as cancer, increased. CONCLUSIONS: ACHD patients continue to be afflicted by increased mortality in comparison with the general population as they grow older. Highest mortality rates were observed among patients with complex ACHD, Fontan physiology, and Eisenmenger syndrome. Our data provide an overview over causes of mortality and especially the spectrum of noncardiac causes of death in contemporary ACHD patients.

Congenital heart disease beyond the age of 60: emergence of a new population with high resource utilization, high morbidity, and high mortality.

AIMS: The population of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) is growing and ageing. Limited information about the diagnostic spectrum of this emerging population, its resource utilization at tertiary ACHD centres, and especially about prognostic parameters is available. METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective cohort study on all ACHD patients ≥60 years of age under active follow-up. All-cause mortality was the primary outcome measure. Out of a total population of 7315 ACHD patients, 375 [190 females (50.7%), mean age 64.8 ± 5.9 years] fulfilled the inclusion criteria. During a median follow-up of 5.5 (IQR 3.1-8.6) years, 55 of the 375 patients died. The number of interventions (P = 0.0006), the number and length of hospitalization (P < 0.0001), and the number of outpatient clinic visits (P < 0.0001) were significantly higher in patients ≥60 compared with patients aged between 20 and 60 years. Patients ≥60 years of age with moderate or severe congenital heart defects had worse survival prospects than their age- and gender-matched comparison population. On multivariate Cox analysis, coronary artery disease [hazard ratio (HR): 5.04; 95%CI: 1.88-13.51, P = 0.0014], symptoms of heart failure (HR: 2.36; 95%CI: 1.05-5.29, P < 0.05), NYHA class (HR: 1.96; 95%CI: 1.18-3.26, P < 0.01), and moderate to severe reduction in systemic ventricular systolic function (HR: 1.90; 95%CI: 1.20-2.99, P < 0.001) were the strongest prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: There is a growing number of elderly ACHD patients with high mortality rates and a higher utilization of healthcare resources compared with younger patients. Acquired morbidities, such as coronary artery disease, seem to be key determinants of outcome in this older population in conjunction with the underlying congenital heart disease.

Stroke Awareness Is Worse among the Old and Poorly Educated: A Population-Based Survey.

BACKGROUND: This article surveys a representative sample of adults to assess their knowledge of stroke, its vascular risk factors and warning symptoms, illness perception, and attitude toward strokes. METHODS: A representative sample of the region population was selected using a double randomization design. Previously trained medical students carried out face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions. RESULTS: In all, 2411 subjects were interviewed. Seventy-three percent reported at least 1 correct warning sign of stroke, whereas only 12.2% reported 3. The most frequently mentioned were sudden weakness, dizziness, and headache. Only 59.2% named at least 1 correct risk factor for stroke. Smoking and hypertension were mainly named. Forty percent of the respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge of stroke. Tellingly, prevalence of adequate knowledge was significantly lower in subjects with previous stroke (29.3% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 19.7-40.3], P = .049), hypertension (35.0% [95% CI, 31.1-39.1], P = .009), diabetes (31.9% [95% CI, 25.9-38.3], P = .011), hypercholesterolemia (35.8% [95% CI, 31.8-39.9], P = .03), and obesity (28.2% [95% CI, 23.8-33.0], P < .001). Illness perception was generally correct. In the final logistic regression model, younger age, urban area of residence, higher educational level, higher family income, normal pressure, normal weight, and family history of stroke were associated with adequate knowledge of stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Basic knowledge of stroke is insufficient among the general population of Extremadura. There is a discrepancy between theoretical stroke knowledge and illness perception. These findings have implications for public health initiatives for stroke.

Abnormal lung function in adults with congenital heart disease: prevalence, relation to cardiac anatomy, and association with survival.

BACKGROUND: Restrictive lung defects are associated with higher mortality in patients with acquired chronic heart failure. We investigated the prevalence of abnormal lung function, its relation to severity of underlying cardiac defect, its surgical history, and its impact on outcome across the spectrum of adult congenital heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 1188 patients with adult congenital heart disease (age, 33.1±13.1 years) undergoing lung function testing between 2000 and 2009 were included. Patients were classified according to the severity of lung dysfunction based on predicted values of forced vital capacity. Lung function was normal in 53% of patients with adult congenital heart disease, mildly impaired in 17%, and moderately to severely impaired in the remainder (30%). Moderate to severe impairment of lung function related to complexity of underlying cardiac defect, enlarged cardiothoracic ratio, previous thoracotomy/ies, body mass index, scoliosis, and diaphragm palsy. Over a median follow-up period of 6.7 years, 106 patients died. Moderate to severe impairment of lung function was an independent predictor of survival in this cohort. Patients with reduced force vital capacity of at least moderate severity had a 1.6-fold increased risk of death compared with patients with normal lung function (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: A reduced forced vital capacity is prevalent in patients with adult congenital heart disease; its severity relates to the complexity of the underlying heart defect, surgical history, and scoliosis. Moderate to severe impairment of lung function is an independent predictor of mortality in contemporary patients with adult congenital heart disease.

Adult Congenital Heart Disease Care in Canada: Has Quality of Care Improved in the Last Decade?

BACKGROUND: Patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) are at increased risk of comorbidity and death compared with the age-matched population. Specialized care is shown to improve survival. The purpose of this study was to analyze current measures of quality of care in Canada compared with those published by our group in 2012. METHODS: A survey focusing on structure and process measures of care quality in 2020 was sent to 15 ACHD centres registered with the Canadian Adult Congenital Heart Network. For each domain of quality, comparisons were made with those published in 2012. RESULTS: In Canada, 36,708 patients with ACHD received specialized care between 2019 and 2020. Ninety-five cardiologists were affiliated with ACHD centres. The median number of patients per ACHD clinic was 2000 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1050, 2875). Compared with the 2012 results, this represents a 68% increase in patients with ACHD but only a 19% increase in ACHD cardiologists. Compared with 2012, all procedural volumes increased with cardiac surgeries, increasing by 12% and percutaneous intervention by 22%. Wait time for nonurgent consults and interventions all exceeded national recommendations by an average of 7 months and had increased compared with 2012 by an additional 2 months. Variability in resources were noted across provincial regions. CONCLUSIONS: Over the past 10 years, ACHD care gaps have persisted, and personnel and infrastructure have not kept pace with estimates of ACHD population growth. Strategies are needed to improve and reduce disparity in ACHD care relative to training, staffing, and access to improved care for Canadians with ACHD.

Comprehensive use of cardiopulmonary exercise testing identifies adults with congenital heart disease at increased mortality risk in the medium term.

BACKGROUND: Parameters of cardiopulmonary exercise testing were recently identified as strong predictors of mortality in adults with congenital heart disease. We hypothesized that combinations of cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters may provide optimal prognostic information on midterm survival in this population. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 1375 consecutive adult patients with congenital heart disease (age, 33±13 years) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing at a single center over a period of 10 years. Peak oxygen consumption (peak V(O(2))), ventilation per unit of carbon dioxide production (V(E)/V(O(2)) slope), and heart rate reserve were measured. During a median follow-up of 5.8 years, 117 patients died. Peak V(O(2)), heart rate reserve, and V(E)/V(O(2)) slope were related to midterm survival in adult patients with congenital heart disease. Risk of death increased with lower peak V(O(2)) and heart rate reserve. A higher V(E)/V(O(2)) slope was also related to increased risk of death in noncyanotic patients, whereas the V(E)/V(O(2)) slope was not predictive of mortality in cyanotic patients. The combination of peak V(O(2)) and heart rate reserve provided the greatest predictive information after adjustment for clinical parameters such as negative chronotropic agents, age, and presence of cyanosis. However, the incremental value of these exercise parameters was reduced in patients with peak respiratory exchange ratio <1.0. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing provides strong prognostic information in adult patients with congenital heart disease. Prognostication should be approached differently, depending on the presence of cyanosis, use of rate-lowering medications, and achieved level of exercise. We provide 5-year survival prospects based on cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters in this growing population.

Left ventricular longitudinal function predicts life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia and death in adults with repaired tetralogy of fallot.

BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac death and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia remain a concern in adult patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. Longitudinal left ventricular (LV) function is sensitive in detecting early myocardial damage and may have prognostic implications in this setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 413 tetralogy of Fallot patients (age, 36 ± 13 years; QRS duration, 148 ± 27 milliseconds; LV ejection fraction, 55 ± 10%). A composite end point of sudden cardiac death/life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia (sustained ventricular tachycardia, resuscitated sudden cardiac death, or appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator discharge) was used. During a median follow-up of 2.9 years, 5 patients died suddenly, 9 had documented sustained ventricular tachycardia, and another 5 had appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks. On univariate Cox analysis, QRS duration (hazard ratio [HR], 1.02 per 1 ms; P=0.046), right atrial area (HR, 1.05 per 1 cm(2); P=0.02), right ventricular fractional area change (HR, 0.94 per 1%; P=0.02), right ventricular outflow tract diameter (HR, 1.08 per 1 mm; P=0.01), mitral annular plane systolic excursion (HR, 0.84 per 1 mm; P=0.03), and LV global longitudinal 2-dimensional strain (HR, 0.87 per 1%; P=0.03) were related to the combined end point. On bivariable analysis, mitral annular plane systolic excursion and LV global longitudinal 2-dimensional strain were related to outcome independently of QRS duration (P=0.002 and P=0.01, respectively). In addition, a combination of echocardiographic variables, including right atrial area, right ventricular fractional area change, and LV global longitudinal 2-dimensional strain or mitral annular plane systolic excursion, was also found to be significantly related to outcome (P<0.001; c statistic, 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: LV longitudinal dysfunction was associated with greater risk of sudden cardiac death/life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. In combination with echocardiographic right heart variables, also available from routine echocardiography, these measures provide important outcome information and should be considered a useful adjunct to established markers such as QRS duration in the estimation of prognosis in this challenging population.

Factors associated with long-term outcomes in adult congenital heart disease patients with infective endocarditis: a 16-year tertiary single-centre experience.

OBJECTIVES: Studies concerning factors associated with long-term outcomes in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients after infective endocarditis (IE) are scarce, while IE-related mortality in these patients remains a burden. We evaluated the factors associated with long-term survival in ACHD patients admitted for IE. METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-centre study of all ACHD patients admitted for IE to a tertiary cardiothoracic centre between 1999 and 2015. Underlying ACHD, detailed echocardiographic and clinical data, surgical treatment and long-term follow-up were analysed. RESULTS: We identified 151 ACHD patients admitted due to 176 episodes IE with 30-day, 6-month and 1-, 5- and 10-year survival of 95.4%, 92.7%, 92.7%, 84.7% and 75.6%, respectively. In a multivariable analysis, adjusted estimated probability of death was consistently higher after an IE episode among patients with complex as compared to simple/moderate ACHD: 10.6% vs 2.4% at 30 days, 15.0% vs 3.4% at 6 months and 1 year, 30.4% vs 7.8% at 5 years and 44.9% vs 13.1% at 10 years. Risk of death was higher among patients with prosthetic valve in comparison with those without (risk ratios 1.73-1.92). Surgical treatment was required in 76 (43.2%) episodes with 30-day mortality of 3.9%. Risk of death appeared to be lower than in the conservatively treated subgroup (risk ratios 0.71-0.78). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated satisfactory long-term survival in ACHD patients who were treated for IE in a tertiary cardiothoracic centre. Early mortality tended to be lower in the surgically treated subgroup. Factors negatively associated with long-term survival were complex ACHD and presence of prosthetic valve.

Risk Stratification for Sudden Cardiac Death in Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

There has been significant progress in the prevention of sudden cardiac death in repaired tetralogy of Fallot. Contemporary cohorts report greater survival attributable to improved surgical techniques, heart failure management, and proactive strategies for risk stratification and management of ventricular arrhythmias including defibrillator implantation and ablation technology. Over the last 25 years, our understanding of predictive risk factors has also improved from invasive and more limited measures to individualized risk prediction scores based on extensive demographic, imaging, electrophysiological, and functional data. Although each of these contemporary scoring systems improves prediction, there are important differences between the study cohorts, included risk factors, and imaging modalities that can significantly affect interpretation and implementation for the individual patient. In addition, accurate phenotyping of disease complexity and anatomic repair substantially modulates this risk and the mechanism of sudden death. Routine implementation of risk stratification within repaired tetralogy of Fallot management is important and directly informs primary prevention defibrillator implantation as well as consideration for proactive invasive strategies including ventricular tachycardia ablation and pulmonary valve replacement. Assessment and risk stratification by a multidisciplinary team of experts in adult congenital heart disease are crucial and critical. Although we have increased understanding, reconciliation of these complex factors for the individual patient remains challenging and often requires careful consideration and discussion with multidisciplinary teams, patients, and their families.

De grands progrès ont été réalisés pour prévenir la mort subite d'origine cardiaque chez les patients ayant une tétralogie de Fallot réparée (TFr). Dans les cohortes contemporaines, l'amélioration du taux de survie peut être attribuée à l'évolution des techniques chirurgicales, à la prise en charge de l'insuffisance cardiaque et à la mise en place de stratégies proactives pour la stratification du risque d'arythmies ventriculaires et pour leur prise en charge, notamment par l'implantation de défibrillateurs et l'ablation. Au cours de 25 dernières années, les moyens utilisés pour caractériser les facteurs de risque à valeur prédictive sont passés de mesures limitées et invasives à l'établissement de scores individualisés basés sur de grands corpus de données démographiques, électrophysiologiques, fonctionnelles et d'autres issues de l'imagerie. Bien que chacun de ces systèmes contemporains d'évaluation du risque permette de raffiner notre capacité prédictive, des différences importantes entre les cohortes à l'étude, les facteurs de risque considérés et les modalités d'imagerie peuvent influencer l'interprétation des scores et les soins prodigués à un patient en particulier. De plus, la description phénotypique exacte de la complexité de la maladie et de la réparation anatomique permet de moduler la stratification du risque de mort subite d'origine cardiaque et son mécanisme possible. Il importe que la stratification du risque fasse partie intégrante de la prise en charge de la TFr puisqu'elle oriente directement le choix de mettre ou non en place un défibrillateur en prévention primaire, et qu'elle fasse partie de l'équation lorsque des stratégies invasives proactives, comme l'ablation de la tachycardie ventriculaire ou le remplacement de la valve pulmonaire, sont envisagées. La mesure et la stratification du risque par une équipe multidisciplinaire d'experts en cardiopathies congénitales sont donc des étapes cruciales. Même si les connaissances se sont affinées au fil du temps, il peut être difficile de faire la synthèse de ces facteurs complexes dans le cas d'un patient en particulier. C'est pourquoi il faut bien souvent se tourner vers l'équipe multidisciplinaire, le patient et ses proches pour évaluer rigoureusement les options.

Impact of a quality improvement initiative with a dedicated anesthesia team on outcomes after surgery for adult congenital heart disease.

Objectives: A quality improvement initiative was introduced to the adult congenital cardiac surgery program at Toronto General Hospital in January 2016. A dedicated Adult Congenital Anesthesia and intensive care unit team was introduced within the cardiac group. The use of factor concentrates was introduced. The study compares perioperative mortality, adverse events, and transfusion burden before and after this process change. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all adult congenital cardiac surgeries from January 2004 to July 2019. Two groups were analyzed: patients undergoing operation before and after 2016. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. One-year mortality and prevalence of key morbidities were analyzed as secondary outcomes. A separate analysis looked at patients who had and had not attended an anesthesia-led preassessment clinic. Results: In-hospital mortality was significantly reduced in patients undergoing operation after 2016 (1.1% vs 4.3%, P = .003) despite a higher risk profile. One-year mortality (1.3% vs 5.8%, P = .003) and ventilation times (5.5 hours [3.4-13.0] vs 6.3 hours [4.2-16.2], P = .001) were also reduced. The incidence of stroke and renal failure was similar between groups. Blood product exposure was comparable, but the incidence of chest reopening decreased (1.8% vs 4.8%, P = .022), despite more patients with multiple previous chest wall incisions, on anticoagulation, and with more complex cardiac anatomy. There were no significant outcome differences between those who did or did not attend the preassessment clinic. Conclusions: Both in-hospital and 1-year mortality were significantly reduced after the introduction of a quality improvement program, despite a higher risk profile. Blood product exposure remained unchanged, but there were less chest reopenings.

Tetralogy of Fallot Across the Lifespan: A Focus on the Right Ventricle.

Tetralogy of Fallot is a cyanotic congenital heart disease, for which various surgical techniques allow patients to survive to adulthood. Currently, the natural history of corrected tetralogy of Fallot is underlined by progressive right ventricular (RV) failure due to pulmonic regurgitation and other residual lesions. The underlying cellular mechanisms that lead to RV failure from chronic volume overload are characterized by microvascular and mitochondrial dysfunction through various regulatory molecules. On a clinical level, these cardiac alterations are commonly manifested as exercise intolerance. The degree of exercise intolerance can be objectified and aid in prognostication through cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The timing for reintervention on residual lesions contributing to RV volume overload remains controversial; however, interval assessment of cardiac function and volumes by echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful. In patients who develop clinically important RV failure, clinicians should aim to maintain a euvolemic state through the use of diuretics while paying particular attention to preload and kidney function. In patients who develop signs of cardiogenic shock from right heart failure, stabilization through the use of inotropes and pressor is indicated. In special circumstances, the use of mechanical support may be appropriate. However, cardiologists should pay particular attention to residual lesions that may impact the efficacy of the selected device.

De nombreuses techniques chirurgicales permettent aux patients présentant une tétralogie de Fallot (TF), une forme de cardiopathie congénitale, de survivre jusqu'à l'âge adulte. À l'heure actuelle, l'évolution naturelle de la TF corrigée est caractérisée par une insuffisance ventriculaire droite (VD) progressive attribuable à une régurgitation pulmonaire et à d'autres lésions résiduelles. Les mécanismes cellulaires sous-jacents qui mènent à l'insuffisance VD due à une surcharge volumique chronique sont caractérisés par une dysfonction microvasculaire et mitochondriale faisant intervenir diverses molécules régulatrices. Sur le plan clinique, ces atteintes cardiaques se manifestent par une intolérance à l'effort qui peut être évaluée au moyen d'une épreuve d'effort cardiorespiratoire, ce qui permet de faciliter l'établissement d'un pronostic. Le moment propice pour une réintervention en cas de lésions résiduelles contribuant à la surcharge volumique du ventricule droit demeure controversé; toutefois, il peut être utile d'évaluer régulièrement la fonction et les volumes cardiaques au moyen d'une échocardiographie et de tests d'imagerie par résonance magnétique. En présence d'une insuffisance VD cliniquement importante, les cliniciens doivent tenter de maintenir les patients dans un état euvolémique en utilisant des diurétiques, tout en accordant une attention particulière à la précharge et à la fonction rénale. Si les patients manifestent des signes de choc cardiogénique associé à une insuffisance cardiaque droite, il convient de leur administrer des inotropes et des vasopresseurs pour stabiliser leur état. Dans certains cas, l'utilisation d'un dispositif d'assistance mécanique peut être appropriée. Cependant, les cardiologues doivent être attentifs aux lésions résiduelles, car elles peuvent influencer l'efficacité de ce dispositif.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions on the Provision of Adult Congenital Heart Disease Care Across Canada: A National Survey.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted health care access across Canada with the reduction in in-person evaluations. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to health care services among the Canadian population with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Methods: All Canadian adult congenital heart affiliated centres were contacted and asked to collect data on outpatient clinic and procedural volumes for the 2019 and 2020 calendar years. A survey was sent detailing questions on clinic and procedural volumes and wait times before and after pandemic restrictions. Descriptive statistics were used with the Student t-test to compare groups. Results: In 2019, there were 19,326 ACHD clinic visits across Canada and only 296 (1.5%) virtual clinic visits. However, during the first year of the pandemic, there were 20,532 clinic visits and 11,412 (56%) virtual visits (P < 0.0001). There were no differences in procedural volumes (electrophysiology, cardiac surgery, and percutaneous intervention) between 2019 and 2020. The mean estimated wait times (months) before the pandemic vs the pandemic were as follows: nonurgent consult 5.4 ± 2.6 vs 6.6 ± 4.2 (P = 0.65), ACHD surgery 6.0 ± 3.5 vs 7.0 ± 4.6 (P = 0.47), electrophysiology procedures 6.3 ± 3.3 vs 5.7 ± 3.3 (P = 0.72), and percutaneous intervention 4.6 ± 3.9 vs 4.4 ± 2.3 (P = 0.74). Conclusions: During the pandemic and restrictions of social distancing, the use of virtual clinic visits helped to maintain continuity in ACHD clinical care, with 56% of ACHD visits being virtual. The procedural volumes and wait times for consultation and percutaneous and surgical interventions were not delayed.

Contexte: La pandémie de COVID-19 a eu des répercussions sur l'accès aux soins de santé partout au Canada, y compris une diminution des évaluations en personne. La présente étude visait à évaluer l'effet de la pandémie de COVID-19 sur l'accès aux soins de santé chez les adultes atteints de cardiopathie congénitale. Méthodologie: Nous avons communiqué avec tous les centres canadiens de prise en charge de la cardiopathie congénitale chez l'adulte et nous leur avons demandé de recueillir des données sur les consultations externes et le volume des interventions pour les années 2019 et 2020. Un sondage détaillé leur a été transmis sur les volumes de consultations et d'interventions et sur les temps d'attentes avant et après la mise en place de restrictions liées à la pandémie. Les groupes ont été comparés lors d'une analyse statistique descriptive utilisant le test t de Student. Résultats: En 2019, 19 326 consultations pour cause de cardiopathie congénitale chez l'vadulte ont été enregistrées au Canada, dont seulement 296 (1,5 %) ont eu lieu en mode virtuel. Au cours de la première année de la pandémie, 20 532 consultations ont été relevées; 11 412 (56 %) ont été menées virtuellement (p < 0,0001). Aucune différence n'a été observée dans le volume d'interventions (interventions en électrophysiologie, interventions chirurgicales et interventions percutanées) entre 2019 et 2020. Les temps d'attente moyens estimés en mois, avant et pendant la pandémie, étaient les suivants : consultations non urgentes, 5,4 ± 2,6 vs 6,6 ± 4,2 (p = 0,65); interventions chirurgicales, 6,0 ± 3,5 vs 7,0 ± 4,6 (p = 0,47); interventions en électrophysiologie, 6,3 ± 3,3 vs 5,7 ± 3,3 (p = 0,72); et interventions percutanées, 4,6 ± 3,9 vs 4,4 ± 2,3 (p = 0,74). Conclusion: Au cours de la pandémie et de la période où les restrictions de distanciation sociale étaient en vigueur, le recours aux consultations virtuelles dans les cliniques a contribué à la continuité des soins offerts aux adultes atteints de cardiopathie congénitale, puisque 56 % des visites se sont déroulées virtuellement. Le volume d'interventions n'a pas été touché et les temps d'attentes pour les consultations, les interventions percutanées et les interventions chirurgicales ne se sont pas allongés.

Systemic right ventricular longitudinal strain is reduced in adults with transposition of the great arteries, relates to subpulmonary ventricular function, and predicts adverse clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) after atrial switch operation and congenitally corrected TGA (ccTGA) are commonly associated with impaired systemic right ventricular (RV) function and impaired prognosis. We aimed to investigate the value of indices of myocardial deformation on speckle-tracking echocardiography for quantifying ventricular function and their potential role in assessing ventricular-ventricular interaction and outcome in patients with a systemic RV. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 129 patients (87 with TGA and atrial switch and 42 with ccTGA, 71 men, age 35 ± 12 years) were investigated, and biventricular myocardial deformation was compared with findings in healthy subjects (n = 38, age 36 ± 10 years). Systemic ventricular longitudinal 2-dimensional (2D) peak systolic strain (RV 2D-LS) was significantly reduced compared with controls (-12.9 ± 3.6 and -15.4 ± 5.1 vs -21.0 ± 5.5 in TGAs, ccTGAs, and controls, P < .0001). Systemic and pulmonary 2D-LS were correlated in patients with TGA (r = 0.46, P < .0001) and ccTGA (r = 0.64, P < .0001), suggesting interventricular interaction, and this was confirmed when ejection fraction on magnetic resonance imaging was assessed (r = 0.53, P < .0001). More importantly, systemic 2D-LS (hazard ratio 1.31, P = .01) was related to adverse clinical outcome (symptomatic progression to New York Heart Association class ≥3, clinically relevant cardiac arrhythmia, or death) in patients with TGA and atrial switch independently of ejection fraction on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, history of clinically relevant arrhythmia, or functional class. CONCLUSIONS: Global longitudinal systolic strain is significantly reduced in patients with a systemic RV, is related to subpulmonary ventricular function, and predicts adverse clinical outcome in adults with atrial switch TGA.

Total isovolumic time relates to exercise capacity in patients with transposition of the great arteries late after atrial switch procedures.

BACKGROUND: Systemic right ventricular systolic dysfunction is common late after atrial switch surgery for transposition of the great arteries. Total isovolumic time is the time that the ventricle is neither ejecting nor filling and is calculated without relying on geometric assumptions. We assessed resting total isovolumic time in this population and its relationship to exercise capacity. METHODS: A total of 40 adult patients with transposition of the great arteries after atrial switch - and 10 healthy controls - underwent transthoracic echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing from January, 2006 to January, 2009. Resting total isovolumic time was measured in seconds per minute: 60 minus total ejection time plus total filling time. RESULTS: The mean age was 31.6 plus or minus 7.6 years, and 38.0% were men. There were 16 patients (40%) who had more than or equal to moderate systolic dysfunction of the right ventricle. Intra- and inter-observer agreement was good for total isovolumic time, which was significantly prolonged in patients compared with controls (12.0 plus or minus 3.9 seconds per minute versus 6.0 plus or minus 1.8 seconds per minute, p-value less than 0.001) and correlated significantly with peak oxygen consumption (r equals minus 0.63, p-value less than 0.001). The correlation strengthened (r equals minus 0.73, p-value less than 0.001) after excluding seven patients with exercise-induced cyanosis. No relationship was found between exercise capacity and right ventricular ejection fraction or long-axis amplitude. CONCLUSION: Resting isovolumic time is prolonged after atrial switch for patients with transposition of the great arteries. It is highly reproducible and relates well to exercise capacity.

Updates in the management of congenital heart disease in adult patients.

INTRODUCTION: Adults with congenital heart disease represent a highly diverse, ever-growing population. Optimal approaches to management of problems such as arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death, heart failure, transplant, application of advanced therapies and unrepaired shunt lesions are incompletely established. Efforts to strengthen our understanding of these complex clinical challenges and inform evidence-based practices are ongoing. AREAS COVERED: This narrative review summarizes evidence underpinning current approaches to congenital heart disease management while highlighting areas requiring further investigation. A search of literature published in 'Medline,' 'EMBASE,' and 'PubMed' using search terms 'congenital heart disease,' 'arrhythmia,' 'sudden cardiac death,' 'heart failure,' 'heart transplant,' 'advanced heart failure therapy,' 'ventricular assist device (VAD),' 'mechanical circulatory support (MSC),' 'intracardiac shunt' and combinations thereof was undertaken. EXPERT OPINION: Application of novel technologies in the diagnosis and management of arrhythmia has and will continue to improve outcomes in this population. Sudden death remains a prevalent problem with many persistent unknowns. Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Improved access to specialist care, advanced therapies and cardiac transplant is needed. The emerging field of cardio-obstetrics will continue to define state-of-the-art care for the reproductive health of women with heart disease.