Sudden cardiac death: risk stratification and betablocker

Risk stratification for sudden cardiac death in congenital heart disease must be personalized, as the patient group is highly heterogeneous and broad risk scores are often insufficient.

Scar-detecting MRI can non-invasively identify those at risk, enabling targeted treatment such as ablation and potentially avoiding unnecessary ICD implantation.

MRI-based risk assessment is already used in daily practice and is expected to be further incorporated into future ESC guidelines.

Life-course care is a key priority in pediatric cardiology, requiring structured long-term planning from childhood through adulthood and into older age.

Strong, well-organized transition programs between pediatric and adult congenital cardiology — such as those established in the Netherlands — are essential to ensure continuity of care and specialized surgical expertise across the lifespan.