Advances in the diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease have improved the treatment of infants and children with a wide range of cardiovascular disorders. This has allowed many of these patients to reach adulthood and have children and families of their own.
Some of these congenital heart problems may require additional surgical treatment or intervention, as the patients may outgrow previous operations or the initial procedures were designed for palliation (temporary) relief of the defect. Conditions that may require additional surgery in adulthood include previous tissue valve replacement or outgrowth of a prosthetic valve, recurrence of coarctation of the aorta, failed valve repair, congestive heart failure, or development of arrhythmias.
Each individual is unique and the optimal diagnosis and management usually requires a multi-specialty collaboration. Various factors are considered before recommending surgery, such as the type and number of previous operations, condition of the heart, and family and social concerns, to name a few. In general, surgery should be considered before the demands of the underlying congenital heart disease result in irreversible heart failure.