Heart 2009;95:1385-1392
Global burden of cardiovascular disease
Paediatric and congenital heart disease in South America: an overview
1 Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2 Hospital das Clínicas, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
3 Hospital de Niños de la Santíssima Trinidad, Córdoba, Argentina
4 Hospital São Francisco, Porto Alegre, RG, Brazil
Correspondence to Dr C A C Pedra, Catheterisation Laboratory for Congenital Heart Disease, Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, Av Dr Dante Pazzanese 500, 14 andar, CEP 04012-180, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; cacpedra{at}uol.com.br
Congenital heart diseases are one of the most common structural defects present at birth, with an approximate incidence of 8 per 1000 live births. As most countries in South America have a high birth rate, they are a significant public health concern. This paper provides a brief overview of the burden of congenital heart disease in South America, focusing on its local prevalence, facilities for treatment and outcomes after medical, surgical or catheter intervention for the most common diseases.
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