EC Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine

As survival rates for congenital heart disease (CHD) continue to improve, long-term pulmonary comorbidities, such as chronic lung disease (CLD), are emerging as critical challenges across the lifespan. This review explores the intricate cardiopulmonary interplay, beginning in fetal development, in which disrupted hemodynamics impair lung growth and maturation. It further examines how surgical interventions, mechanical ventilation, and environmental factors compound pulmonary injury, leading to a spectrum of sequelae including pulmonary hypertension, airway malacia, and restrictive lung physiology. It is not just patients who struggle; families, too, are often overwhelmed by emotional stress, financial strain, and the exhausting logistics of prolonged hospital stays and complex home care. Emphasizing the need for an integrated, lifespan-oriented model of care, the article advocates for early detection, preventive strategies, mental health support, and global health equity to mitigate the rising burden of CLD in CHD populations.

 Keywords: Pulmonary Sequelae; Congenital Heart Disease (CHD); Chronic Lung Disease (CLD)

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