Genetics of Congenital Heart Disease: Beyond Half-Measures

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect, accounting for one-third of all major congenital anomalies, identifiable in up to 10% of stillbirths and presumed to play a major role in early fetal demise. Worldwide, 1.35 million infants are born with CHD each year[1]. CHDs range from milder forms such as bicuspid aortic valves, through conotruncal cardiac defects associated with severe late complications, requiring lifelong medical care[2]. The advent of corrective cardiac surgery and the increase in knowledge concerning the longitudinal care of CHD patients has led to a spectacular increase in life expectancy.
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research