ACHD EP & Device Referral Pathway
This document provides guidance on how to refer ACHD patients for expert assessment and treatment for electrophysiology and device procedures.
ACHD Referral Pathway
This document provides guidance on how to refer ACHD patients. It is a useful guide for paediatric cardiologists and PEC’s who are referring a paediatric patient to adult services. It is also useful for GP’s and adult cardiologists wanting to make a new referral for an adult patient.
Anaesthesia for non-cardiac surgery in patients with ACHD
Article from Elsevier Journal: August 2025
Key points:
– Patients with adult congenital heart disease have diverse conditions and high perioperative risks associated with non-cardiac surgery.
– Classification by anatomical complexity and physiological status aids in perioperative planning.
– Close coordination with multidisciplinary teams
from specialist centres improves safety and reduces complications.
– Tailored anaesthetic strategies and postoperative care are crucial for optimal outcomes.
Anaesthetic Management of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease Presenting for Noncardiac Surgery – Anaesthetic Tutorial of the Week
Key points:
– Adult congenital heart disease confers significant morbidity and mortality.
– Lesions can be stratified as simple, moderate, and complex in terms of prognosis and outcomes.
– Comorbidities impact perioperative planning for noncardiac surgery, and specialist input should be sought for moderate and complex lesions.
– A thorough understanding of the underlying physiology is necessary to ensure a good perioperative outcome.
– No single anaesthetic technique is better than another and should be tailored to the patient.
Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy Guideline
This guideline has been produced by the North West Maternal Medicine Network and includes information about cardiac maternity services in the North West and how to refer using this online referral form: Referral – NW Maternal Medicine Network
Clinical practical advice for anaesthetic management of adults with congenital heart disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery:
A clinical consensus statement of the ESC Working Group on Adult Congenital Heart Disease, the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and the International Society of Adult Congenital Heart Disease.
Guidelines for anaesthesia of adults with CHD in non-cardiac surgery
Article from Elsevier Journal: Anaesthesia Critical Care and Pain Medicine. www.elsevier.com
2020 ESC Guidelines for the Management of Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Decision-making in ACHD involves accurate diagnosis, timing of intervention, risk assessment, and selection of the most suitable type of intervention. In addition, specific aspects of medical treatment for conditions such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and anticoagulation are addressed.
2025 ESC Guidelines for the Management of CVD in pregnancy
See the latest guidelines (2025) from the European Society of Cardiology relating to the management of cardiovascular disease in pregnancy.