Considerations for Gender‐Affirming Hormonal and Surgical Care Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents and Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Background Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals and long‐term survivors with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) are both growing populations with specialized needs. No studies assess temporal trends or evaluate the care of TGD individuals with ACHD. Methods and Results Meetings between congenital cardiology and gender‐affirming care specialists identified unique considerations in TGD individuals with ACHD. A retrospective chart review was then performed to describe patient factors and outpatient trends in those with an ACHD diagnosis undergoing gender‐affirming hormonal or surgical care (GAHT/S) at 1 adult and 1 pediatric tertiary care center. Thirty‐three TGD individuals with ACHD were identified, 21 with a history of GAHT/S. Fourteen (66%) had moderate or complex ACHD, 8 (38%) identified as transgender male, 9 (43%) transgender female, and 4 (19%) other gender identities. Three had undergone gender‐affirming surgery. There were zero occurrences of the composite end point of unplanned hospitalization or thrombotic event over 71.1 person‐years of gender‐affirming care. Median age at first gender‐affirming appointment was 16.8 years [interquartile range 14.8–21.5]. The most common treatment modification was changing estradiol administration from oral to transdermal to reduce thrombotic risk (n=3). An increasing trend was observed from zero TGD patients with ACHD attending a gender diversity appointment in 2012 to 14 patients in 2022. Conclusions There is a growing population of TGD patients with ACHD and unique medical and psychosocial needs. Future studies must fully evaluate the reassuring safety profile observed in this small cohort. We share 10 actionable care considerations for providers with a goal of overseeing a safe and fulfilling gender transition across all TGD patients with ACHD.

Keywords

• ACHD
• congenital heart disease
• gender‐affirming care
• transgender