AHA Addresses Adult Care for Congenital Heart Disease

April 5, 2011—According to the American Heart Association's (AHA) latest scientific statement on best practices in managing transition to adulthood for adolescents with congenital heart disease, physicians should transition their patients from pediatric to adult medical care during early adolescence. The statement by Craig Sable, MD, et al was published in Circulation (2011;123:1454–1485).

The AHA highlighted the critical steps in the transition process including selecting an adult care physician to provide and coordinate comprehensive care; offering reproductive/ genetic and career counseling; securing health insurance; educating adult care providers in managing congenital heart disease; and, maintaining communication between patients, families, and health care professionals.

Dr. Sable stated that the transition should be a joint effort among the health care provider (usually a pediatric heart specialist), the patient, and the patient's family that starts when patients are between 12 to 14 years old. Dr. Sable noted that ideally the transition process minimizes disruption and stress while maintaining appropriate treatment continuity but that less than one-third of adults with congenital heart disease receive care from qualified specialists.