Coronary artery disease screening in adults with congenital heart disease prior to cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: As adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) grow older, preoperative screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) may be indicated prior to CHD surgery. Data regarding the indications for preoperative CAD screening in this population are limited. Current practice is to follow guidelines for patients with valvular heart disease; however, the risk for CAD in certain congenital heart diagnoses may be higher than the general population. This study aimed to assess the results of preoperative CAD screening in patients prior to CHD surgery.

DESIGN: Retrospective study.

SETTING: Single tertiary center.

PATIENTS: Patients ≥35 years that had CHD surgery from 1/1/2007 to 5/1/2017.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Data regarding CAD risk factors and preoperative CAD screening results were obtained. Prevalence and risk factors for CAD were analyzed, along with their relationship to perioperative outcomes.

RESULTS: A total of 73 patients underwent CAD screening with either cardiac catheterization (56%) or computed tomography angiography (34%) prior to CHD surgery. Overall 16 (22%) patients were found to have CAD. Only two patients had severe coronary stenosis and underwent coronary bypass grafting at time of CHD surgery. Patients with CAD were more likely to be older and have history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and tobacco smoking. CHD diagnosis was not significantly associated with presence of CAD.

CONCLUSION: CAD is common in asymptomatic older patients referred for screening prior to CHD surgery; however, severe CAD requiring concomitant coronary intervention is uncommon. Preoperative CAD screening should be based on age and traditional CAD risk factors, rather than underlying CHD.