Advances in Managing Transition to Adulthood for Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease

Published: March 17, 2022

Female doctor telling mother and daughter medical results at doctor’s office using digital tablet
  • It is now expected that most individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD) will survive to adulthood, including those with complex heart conditions. Maintaining lifelong medical care requires those with CHD to eventually transfer from pediatric to adult-oriented health care.
  • Understanding the concepts behind transition and transfer and implementing solutions are critical to providing optimal care to teens and young adults with CHD.
  • Developing health care transition skills and gaining independence in managing one’s own health care is imperative to this process and to ongoing medical and psychosocial success.