No abstract

The survival of patients was lower than that of the general population (relative 45-year survival 89%). Most patients died owing to CHDs, but non-CHD-related mortality was also high.

Despite low relative rate reductions the absolute rate reductions were substantial because of the high incidence of the outcome. This reduction would lead to over 12,000 fewer antimicrobial purchases per year in children younger than 24 months in Finland (birth cohort of 60,000 children).

Our results confirm that in addition to high survival rate, the long-term psychosocial outcome of patients with surgically treated congenital heart defects is good if they do not have any additional syndromes that cause mental retardation.

CHD-related deaths have decreased markedly but remain a challenge after surgery for severe cardiac defects. Premature deaths are generally more common among patients than the control population, warranting long-term follow-up after congenital cardiac surgery.