Patients with Down syndrome and congenital heart disease: survival is improving, but challenges remain

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities. The incidence of DS at birth in developed countries has remained relatively stable over the last 20 years, at approximately 1 per 1000 live births. DS is associated with a number of congenital defects and is also at increased risk of conditions that may develop later in life, and thus requires multidisciplinary care and close surveillance. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is present in 35%–50% of patients and is haemodynamically significant in two-thirds.1 Early diagnosis and treatment in expert centres are essential for improving short-term and long-term outcomes and avoiding important complications, such as the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Pulmonary arterial hypertension related to congenital heart disease in Down syndrome The CHD most commonly encountered in DS is atrioventricular septal defects, ventricular septal defects and atrial septal defects.1 Large post-tricuspid defects...
Source: Heart - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Congenital heart disease, Drugs: cardiovascular system, Hypertension, Interventional cardiology, Epidemiology Editorials Source Type: research