PhD defence C. (Can) Zhang

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

Congenital heart disease affects the structure and function of the heart from birth. Thanks to advances in medical care, most children born with these conditions now survive into adulthood. However, many develop heart rhythm disorders later in life, which can affect their health and quality of life. Understanding how these rhythm disorders develop is essential for improving long-term care.
This thesis explores how the heart's electrical system changes throughout life in patients with congenital heart disease, from childhood to adulthood. By studying electrical signals recorded directly from the heart during surgery, we identified early electrical abnormalities in children, even before rhythm disorders become apparent. In adults, we found that electrical changes in the heart chambers may contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation, a common condition in which the heart beats irregularly.
We also followed adults with congenital heart disease over many years to investigate which factors are associated with the development and worsening of atrial fibrillation. Our findings suggest that routinely available heart recordings can help identify patients who may be at increased risk.
Together, these studies provide new insights into how heart rhythm disorders develop and progress in people with congenital heart disease. The findings may help doctors identify patients at risk earlier, improve long-term monitoring, and guide more personalized care throughout their lives.