Mantoo Mohsin Raj, Kadiyani Lamk, Ramakrishnan Sivasubramanian
Department of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Ann Pediatr Cardiol. 2025 Mar-Apr;18(2):87-92. doi: 10.4103/apc.apc_223_25. Epub 2025 Aug 29.
Grown-up with congenital heart disease (GUCH) represents an emerging but under-recognized public health challenge in India. With an estimated 3.5 million adults living with congenital heart disease (CHD), the country has one of the world's largest GUCH populations. Despite improving pediatric cardiac surgery outcomes, adult CHD care remains fragmented, with critical gaps in infrastructure, training, transition protocols, and national policy. This editorial explores the epidemiological burden, systemic challenges, and recent progress, including the growth of pediatric cardiac programs, the emergence of GUCH clinics, and increased use of transcatheter interventions for the Indian GUCH patients. We need a structured, level-based care model, development of specialized centers, dedicated GUCH training, and the creation of national registries and India-specific guidelines. Bridging the divide between pediatric and adult cardiology is essential to ensure lifelong, coordinated care for this vulnerable population.
患有先天性心脏病的成年人（GUCH）在印度是一个新出现但未得到充分认识的公共卫生挑战。据估计，印度有350万患有先天性心脏病（CHD）的成年人，该国是世界上GUCH患者人数最多的国家之一。尽管小儿心脏手术的效果有所改善，但成人先天性心脏病的护理仍然分散，在基础设施、培训、过渡方案和国家政策方面存在重大差距。这篇社论探讨了流行病学负担、系统性挑战和近期进展，包括小儿心脏项目的发展、GUCH诊所的出现以及印度GUCH患者经导管干预的使用增加。我们需要一个结构化的、基于水平的护理模式，发展专业中心，进行专门的GUCH培训，并建立国家登记处和印度特定的指南。弥合小儿心脏病学和成人心脏病学之间的差距对于确保为这一弱势群体提供终身、协调的护理至关重要。
