Lessons from the short- and mid-term outcome of medical rehabilitation in adults with congenital heart disease

Background: The number of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) is steadily increasing. Over their life-time, many of the affected patients require medical rehabilitation after interventional or surgical treatment of residua, sequels or complications of their congenital heart defect (CHD). However, up to now only scarce data exist about indication, performance and outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation in ACHD. Methods: The course and outcome of rehabilitation after previous interventional or surgical treatment in ACHD was analyzed in a retrospective cohort study.