Lebensqualität nach operation angeborener herzfehler

Improvements in cardiac surgery and pediatric cardiology have dramatically increased the survival rate of patients with congenital heart disease. Nevertheless, many operations are associated with residual effects at long-term follow-up. In the long-term, many patients suffer from arrhythmia or heart failure which curtail exercise capacity. Additionally, there are cognitive and neuro-developmental deficits. In most of the patients (and their parents) there is misconception or denial. Therefore, psychological or social components of quality of life seem to be only minimally affected. All of these deficits depend on the underlying heart defect and on the type of treatment. New therapeutic concepts, especially for complex heart defects, give hope of future substantial improvements. However, such patients need both profound congenital-cardiologic as well as compassionate, psychological medical guidance not only throughout childhood but also continuing into adulthood.