TITLE:
Short-Term Outcomes of Surgery for Grown-Up Congenital Heart Disease
AUTHORS:
Papa Ousmane Ba, Momar Sokhna Diop, Papa Amath Diagne, Mahamat Nouradine Mahamat, Ndeye Fatou Sow, Papa Salmane Ba, Papa Adama Dieng, Amadou Gabriel Ciss
KEYWORDS:
Congenital Heart Disease, Adult, Cardiac Surgery, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery,
Vol.16 No.3,
February
28,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Congenital heart disease (CHD) diagnosed and treated in adulthood is a growing public health problem in resource-limited countries. Surgical management poses specific challenges related to the natural progression of lesions and associated complications. Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, and therapeutic characteristics of congenital heart disease operated on in adulthood at the Fann University Hospital. Patients and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of all patients aged 16 years or older who underwent surgery for congenital heart disease at the CUOMO pediatric cardiac surgery department. Results: Twenty-eight patients were included. The mean age was 24 years, with a slight female predominance (gender ratio of 0.87). Non-cyanotic heart defects accounted for the majority of cases, dominated by left-to-right shunts, particularly atrial septal defects (32.1%). Cyanotic heart defects were rare (3.6%). The mean duration of CPB was 103.1 minutes and the aortic cross-clamp time was 73.4 minutes. The results of surgical treatment show an overall mortality rate of 10.7% (n = 3). The mean follow-up time was 9.3 months [1 - 60 months]. Conclusion: Surgery for congenital heart disease in adults is feasible and yields good results in our setting. Late diagnosis remains common, highlighting the need for earlier screening and improved care pathways.