Deaths from congenital heart defects in both children and adults have declined over the last 7 years for which complete data is available, according to new research. From 1999 to 2006, we saw a 24% decrease in death rates resulting from congenital heart disease among all ages, says researcher Suzanne Gilboa, PhD, an epidemiologist at the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the CDC. Thank you pediatric and adult CHD cardiologists and clinical teams!

ACC’s Gerard Martin, MD, FACC (chair of the Adult Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology Council), was quoted in the article. He said: "It's exciting news for parents who have a child with congenital heart disease and it's exciting news for all the professionals who take care of children with congenital heart disease.”

We’ll be able to track further progress in CHD much better now, given the ACC recently launched the IMPACT Registry, which assesses the prevalence, demographics, management and outcomes of pediatric and adult patients with congenital heart disease who are undergoing diagnostic catheterizations and catheter-based interventions. Not surprisingly, Martin’s Children’s National Medical Center is our first participant! The collection and analysis of the IMPACT Registry’s will provide significant contributions to the knowledge base and outcomes associated with congenital heart disease. Learn more and register: https://www.ncdr.com/IMPACT/default.aspx.

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