Patient Focus | Until recently, registries containing information about the treatment of congenital heart disease have been limited. However, thanks to the ACC’s IMPACT (Improving Pediatric and Adult Congenital Treatment) Registry, first launched in 2010, there is now updated information about the treatment of common congenital heart conditions.

In a study published this past December in JACC, researchers analyzed data contained in the IMPACT registry, focusing on six congenital heart procedures: device closure of atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary and aortic valvuloplasty, coarctation of the aorta angioplasty and stenting, and pulmonary artery stenting. Between Jan. 2011 and March 2013, more than 4,000 patients underwent one of the six procedures included in the study.

Overall, researchers found that congenital heart procedures were relatively safe and effective. However, outcomes varied by procedure. For example, device closure of patent ductus arteriosus and atrial septal defect were more than 98% effective, while only 51% of coarctation angioplasty procedures were considered successful. Serious complications like heart attack and stroke were rare, occurring in 0-3.3% of procedures and other adverse events like bleeding occurred in anywhere from 5.3-24.3% of procedures.

Researchers hope to harness this data to improve the safety and efficacy of procedures used to treat congenital heart disease. By providing a benchmark for individual centers, the IMPACT Registry allows providers to compare their data to national averages, which can ultimately lead to improved outcomes and quality of care. For more information about the IMPACT Registry visit CVQuality.ACC.org/NCDR.

Keywords: CardioSource WorldNews, ACC Publications

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