Outcomes of Congenital Heart Diseases in Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Background: Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are the most common birth defects worldwide, significantly impacting morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries where early diagnosis and access to surgical care are limited. In Iraq, congenital heart surgeries are relatively new, and few studies have investigated CHD outcomes in this context. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, distribution, and surgical outcomes of congenital heart diseases among patients treated at the Azadi Heart Center in Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Patients and Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted involving 111 patients aged 1-69 years with CHD who underwent surgery at the Azadi Heart Center between March 2019 and March 2024. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, clinical profiles, surgical details, and postoperative complications, including mortality rates. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel, with data presented as means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages. Results: The average age of patients in the study was 13 years (±16), with congenital heart disease (CHD) being most common among children, who made up 80.18% of cases. Male patients accounted for 54.95%. The most frequent CHD types observed were Tetralogy of Fallot (25%), isolated Ventricular Septal Defect (20%), and Atrial Septal Defect (10%). The surgeries were highly successful, with a 95.5% success rate. However, some patients experienced postoperative complications, such as pneumonia (11.71%), arrhythmias (10.96%), and surgical site infections (5.41%). The overall mortality rate was 10.81%, with infections being a leading cause of death after surgery. Conclusions: CHD is prevalent among young patients in Duhok, with favorable surgical outcomes and acceptable complication rates. These findings highlight the need for early detection, enhanced surgical resources, and continued surveillance to improve outcomes for CHD patients in Iraq.