Arrhythmias in adult congenital heart disease

Abstract

Recent advances in pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery have allowed a rapidly expanding population of patients with congenital heart disease to thrive well into their adult years. Often after prolonged uneventful clinical courses as children and adolescents, arrhythmias may surface later in life. These arrhythmias are a major source of morbidity. In addition, sudden death is the leading cause of mortality in adult patients with congenital heart disease. This review highlights the various types of brady- and tachyarrhythmias encountered in the more common forms of adult congenital heart disease and explores prognostic implications and therapeutic options.

Keywords::

• adult congenital heart disease
• arrhythmia
• atrial flutter
• atrioventricular block
• intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardia
• sinus node dysfunction
• sudden death
• ventricular tachycardia