Description

Congenital Heart Disease is a general term for a range of birth defects that affect the normal workings of the heart. It is one of the most common types of birth defect occurring in 1% of live births and affects up to 9 in every 1,000 babies born in the United Kingdom. It was estimated that 34.3 million people had a congenital heart abnormality in 2013. Abnormalities can arise in 3-5% of off spring in cases of de novo family history. Congenital heart disease was responsible for 223,000 deaths in 2010. This short volume details the common birth defects affecting the structure and functioning of the heart concentrating on the genetic basis and epidemiology, as well as risk factors, diagnostic modalities and treatment options.