81 Preparing the Young Adult With Complex Congenital Cardiac Disease to Transfer From Pediatric to Adult Care Philip Moons Abstract More than 90% of children born with congenitally malformed hearts now survive to adult life, as a result of the spectacular achievements of pediatric cardiology and surgery over the past half-century This has created a new and growing population of adults who often have complex congenital cardiac malformations that are unfamiliar to conventionally trained adult cardiologists The need for an integrated strategy of care for such patients with congenitally malformed hearts, who usually require life-long medical care, has been recognized Several panels of international experts have provided frameworks for provision of services These share a number of common recommendations First, all recognize the need for management in an adult environment, as the average age of the population of adults with congenital cardiac disease increases Second, all recommend a hierarchical structure for care, with specialist centers providing a full range of diagnostic facilities and treatments interacting, and often sharing care, with other adult cardiac units Third, all accept the need for training of a new subspecialty of medical and allied health practitioners with expertise in the management of congenital cardiac disease and the care of adults Throughout childhood, patients with congenital cardiac disease are treated and followed-up at pediatric cardiology centers When they become adults, it is advocated that their medical surveillance and follow-up care is transferred to adult-focused facilities This chapter defines transfer and transition, describes the key issues in transition, and explains the core components of effective transition programs Keywords Transfer; transition; adolescents; young persons More than 90% of children born with congenitally malformed hearts now survive to adulthood, as a result of the spectacular achievements of pediatric cardiology and surgery over the past half-century.1,2 This has created a new and growing population of adults who often have complex congenital cardiac malformations that are unfamiliar to conventionally trained adult cardiologists The need for an integrated strategy of care for such patients with congenitally ... to Transfer From Pediatric to Adult Care Philip Moons Abstract More than 90% of children born with congenitally malformed hearts now survive to adult life, as a result of the spectacular achievements of pediatric. .. Throughout childhood, patients with congenital cardiac disease are treated and followed-up at pediatric cardiology centers When they become adults, it is advocated that their medical surveillance and follow-up care is... More than 90% of children born with congenitally malformed hearts now survive to adulthood, as a result of the spectacular achievements of pediatric cardiology and surgery over the past half-century.1,2 This has created a new and growing population of adults who often have complex congenital cardiac