Congenital Heart Disease Management in Switzerland: Insights from New Research

Strategic Insights -

Adult congenital heart disease patients in Switzerland require specialized care, which is often provided by regional and supraregional centres. A recent study focused on the extent of cardiac-related hospitalizations among adult congenital heart disease patients followed at Swiss regional centres. The research aimed to assess the role of regional centres in managing the growing cohort of adult congenital heart disease patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • A retrospective, multicentric cohort study was conducted to assess cardiac-related hospitalizations among adult congenital heart disease patients in Switzerland.
  • The study included 1031 patients from the SACHER cohort, accounting for 22% of the entire cohort, who were followed at three regional ACHD centres from May 2014 to March 2022.
  • During a median follow-up of 3 years, there were 237 hospitalizations among 136 (13%) patients, with the majority (66%) occurring at the regional centre.
  • The main reasons for referral to supraregional ACHD centres were heart surgery and complex structural percutaneous interventions, including pulmonary valve replacement and balloon dilation of aortic coarctation.
  • The study concluded that regional ACHD centres provide an important contribution to the management of adult congenital heart disease patients, with most hospitalizations being managed locally.

Statistics:

  • 1031 patients were included in the study, accounting for 22% of the SACHER cohort.
  • The median follow-up duration was 3 years (IQR 1-5 years).
  • 237 hospitalizations occurred among 136 (13%) patients during the follow-up period.
  • 157 (66%) hospitalizations occurred at the regional centre.
  • Arrhythmias and heart failure hospitalizations were mainly managed locally, with 77% and 76% of admissions being managed locally, respectively.
  • 32 (57%) patients required referral to supraregional ACHD centres for heart surgery.
  • 7 (100%) patients required referral to supraregional ACHD centres for balloon dilation of aortic coarctation.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers from University Hospital of Basel Discuss Research in Congenital Heart Disease (The importance of regional centres in the management of adults with congenital heart disease in Switzerland: a retrospective, multicentric cohort study). Cardiovascular Week. October 20, 2025; p 153.
  • The importance of regional centres in the management of adults with congenital heart disease in Switzerland: a retrospective, multicentric cohort study. Swiss Medical Weekly, 2025, 155(9).
  • Swiss Medical Weekly - http://www.smw.ch
  • SMW supporting association (Tragerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW)
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.57187/s.4459