Berardo Sarubbi, Giancarlo Scognamiglio
Advances in paediatric cardiology and surgery have transformed congenital heart disease from a fatal condition into a chronic, lifelong one. As a result, the adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) population is rapidly expanding and aging, with rising medical complexity and growing workforce shortages. The ACHD patient of tomorrow will present with diverse needs-ranging from management of complex congenital repairs and heart failure (HF) to acquired comorbidities typical of aging populations. This shift necessitates a reimagined model of care emphasizing accessibility, precision, and patient partnership. Telemedicine, remote monitoring, and digital health platforms will decentralize ACHD care, improving follow-up and reducing disparities. Precision medicine, integrating genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics, will enable individualized diagnosis and therapy. Artificial intelligence (AI) will enhance early detection, risk prediction, and surgical planning while supporting patient education and engagement. Future ACHD patients will be empowered participants in shared decision-making, supported by AI-driven tools and online communities. Personalized strategies for HF management, especially in Fontan circulation and systemic right ventricles, along with advances in transcatheter interventions, will minimize surgical trauma and improve quality of life. Equally, mental health and social integration will be central to holistic care. Ultimately, tomorrow's ACHD care will merge technology and humanity-leveraging innovation to deliver compassionate, individualized treatment across a patient's lifespan.