8th March 2024

Introduction

Congenital heart disease is the commonest form of congenital anomaly, affecting about 8 in every 1000 live births in the United Kingdom. Diagnostic and management outcomes have significantly improved, which has led to an increasing population of adults with the condition. Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) can be categorised into acyanotic; cyanotic heart disease and coarctation of the aorta.  

Acyanotic heart diseases are congenital cardiac malformations that lead to a left-to-right shunt. Cyanosis is not typically a feature as patients retain a normal level of oxyhaemoglobin saturation in the systemic circulation. However, uncorrected left-to-right shunts may eventually lead to Eisenmenger syndrome. The main types of acyanotic heart defects include:

• Atrial Septal Defect
• Ventricular Septal Defect 
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus