Spectrum of adult congenital heart diseases : Jordanian experience

Abstract EN

Objective : To study the spectrum of adult congenital heart disease with respect to their presentation, and the most appropriate management.

Methods : This is a retrospective study looking at catheterization and surgical records of all adult patients (18 years or older) with congenital heart disease who were treated at Queen Alia Heart Institute between January 2004 and April 2014.

Their demographic characteristics, mode of presentation, investigations, and subsequent management were booked.

Results : Within the study time, 517 patients were diagnosed.

In a percentage ratio of 51 : 49 males to females respectively.

Their ages ranged between 18 and 62 years, mean of 29.5 years.

The commonest presenting symptoms were dyspnea, and incidental heart murmurs.

One hundred and fifty patients (26 %) have had previous cardiac surgery, eleven patients (2 %) have had previous catheter based interventions and three patients (0.6 %) have had both.

Remarkably, congenital valvular lesions constituted 36.2 %, while atrial septal defect was seen in 22 %of these patients.

One hundred sixty six patients (32 %) were treated by catheter-based interventions, while the rest (42 %) had cardiac surgery.

Conclusion: Due to the rapid development in methods of detection, congenital heart diseases are getting easily discovered regardless of the age factor.

In adults, suspicions should be taken in consideration when it comes to frequent complaints of effort intolerance, dyspnea or even history of previous cardiac interventions.