[Medical care of adults with congenital heart diseases : Present and future].

Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are the most common types of congenital organ defects. Thanks to medical progress in congenital cardiology and heart surgery, most children with CHD reach adulthood. Despite primarily successful treatment residual and subsequent conditions as well as (non)cardiac comorbidities can influence the chronic course of the disease and lead to a higher morbidity and mortality. Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) in Germany are not tied to the healthcare structure despite the great need for aftercare. According to the results of the medical care of ACHD (MC-ACHD) study, ACHD centers and specialists in Germany are insufficiently perceived despite increased complication rates and the great need for specialist guidance. General practitioners and patients are not adequately informed about existing ACHD facilities. A better awareness of the ACHD problem should be created at the level of primary medical supply in order to optimize care and to reduce morbidity and mortality. Improved future-oriented patient care includes lifelong regular follow-up and the possibility of interdisciplinary, integrated medical care of CHD.