Congenital Heart Disease and Adolescence

This book provides medical care givers with detailed information on those aspects of adolescence that are of significance in the setting of congenital heart disease (CHD), from anatomic and physiologic changes to behavioral issues. In addition, it explains how care should be organized in order to ensure that the needs of adolescents with CHD are fully met. Both theoretical and practical aspects of the switch from a pediatric to an adult health perspective in CHD patients are outlined in detail, drawing attention to the importance of a structured transition plan and other best practices. As the survival of children with complex CHD improves further, the number of adolescents with CHD will continue to grow. Awareness of the challenges that these patients face is essential if they are to be appropriately prepared to assume adult roles and functioning. Readers will find Congenital Heart Disease and Adolescence to be an excellent source of relevant knowledge and guidance. It has been written for a broad audience, bearing in mind that care in adolescents is an interdisciplinary task involving close collaboration among physicians, specialists, nurses, patients, and relatives.

Markus Schwerzmann, MD, trained in Adult Congenital Heart Disease in Toronto. He is currently head of the Center for Congenital Heart Disease at the University Hospital Inselspital in Bern, Switzerland. In Bern, children and adults with congenital heart disease are jointly followed in the same center by pediatric and adult congenital cardiologists. His research interests are transition and clinical outcome in adult congenital heart disease.

Corina Thomet, RN, MScN is responsible for the transition program for youth and young adults followed at the Center for Congenital Heart Disease, University Hospital Inselspital, in Bern, Switzerland. Her main interests in clinical work and research are how to foster patient education, improve patient participation and strengthen self-management competencies.

Dr. Philip Moons is Professor of Healthcare and Nursing Sciences at the KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Belgium, and Visiting Professor at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Dr. Moons is mainly involved in outcome and quality of life research in congenital heart disease, and developed and implemented the role of advanced practice nurse in the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program of the University Hospitals of Leuven. The spearhead of his research is 'Transition and Care'.