Dr. Erwin Oechslin, director of the adult congenital heart disease program at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, spoke with the Toronto Star about the merits of consistent check-ups with those who were born with heart defects. (Photo: UHN)
As published in the Toronto Star, June 10:
Nathalie Lacoste-Hofmann was born with serious health problems.
The 44-year-old Whitby elementary school teacher and mother of two, is one of thousands of adults alive thanks to childhood surgery that corrected a congenital heart defect — something that affects 1 per cent of Canadians.
A half century ago, only 20 per cent of those born with a heart defect survived to adulthood but with medical advances today's survival rate is 95 per cent.
However, this success has resulted in a rapid increase in cases of congenital heart defects in adults and these surgeries are complex, says Dr. Erwin Oechslin. Oechslin is director of the adult congenital heart disease program at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (part of the University Health Network).