Congenital heart diseases are structural abnormalities of the heart that are present at birth. Some of these conditions are particularly complex and require multiple surgeries during the first years of life, as well as continuous medical monitoring between procedures. When follow-up care is interrupted, the risk of serious complications and death increases significantly.

Studies conducted primarily in high-income countries have shown that close medical follow-up improves survival rates. However, there is still limited evidence regarding the factors that hinder continuity of care in middle-income Latin American countries.

Researchers from the International Hospital of Colombia and the University of Santander analyzed data from 173 children treated at a specialized cardiovascular center. The study reviewed medical records and contacted caregivers to identify the factors associated with loss to follow-up and mortality during the period between the first and second surgeries.

The findings revealed that 37.6% of patients were lost to follow-up. Living in rural areas and having parents with lower educational levels were associated with a higher likelihood of missing medical appointments and discontinuing care. In addition, rural residence, malnutrition, and certain clinical complications were linked to a higher risk of mortality. Conversely, a greater number of follow-up consultations was associated with a lower risk of death.

These results suggest that strengthening medical follow-up and reducing geographic and social barriers to healthcare could significantly improve survival outcomes for children with complex congenital heart disease, particularly in countries with limited resources.

The authors emphasize the need for further research to better understand the barriers faced by families and to evaluate strategies that facilitate access to specialized care, helping reduce patient loss during follow-up and improving long-term health outcomes.

To learn more about this study, readers can access the full article published in the Research and Innovation in Health Sciences Journal (RIICS).

#MásMaríaCano