Editorial - December 2020

Dear Members,

Strange times continue and now we are facing the second wave of the corona pandemic. We have now more information about its impact in our ACHD patients than we had back in spring but still a lot of uncertainties. A position paper on COVID-19 and ACHD compiling the current evidence and recommendations is to be launched soon by this Working Group.

Some other very important documents have been recently released. The consensus paper of the Study Group for Adult Heart Care in Central and South Eastern European Countries give us a thorough analysis of the current situation of ACHD care in the Eastern Europe identifying the needs and improvement areas. The position paper for Advanced Care Planning in ACHD faces a growing scenario as our population ages and provides practical advice regarding implementation of end of life planning and processes within clinical practice. Finally, the position paper on Participation in Competitive Sport in Adolescent and Adult Athletes with Congenital Heart Disease is an update of the document published in 2005 that introduces an approach that is based on hemodynamic, electrophysiological and functional parameters, rather than anatomic lesions.

Great news for our field come also from the announcement of the new journal "International Journal of Cardiology -Congenital Heart Disease", the officially affiliated journal of ISACHD, as is the main International Journal of Cardiology. It is already fully operational as a Free-Access journal and ready to receive Original Research Work, CHD Perspective, CHD Pulse etc. (website for Full Author’s Instructions).

Finally, we are expecting with great enthusiasm the EuroGUCH Congress 2021, that is going to be held on May 4 and 5. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, all the ESC scheduled meetings in 2021 (at least until the ESC congress) are planned to be virtual. Therefore, and regrettably, the EuroGUCH 2021 will not be held in the beautiful city of Seville (Spain) as it was initially planned. The local host, Pastora Gallego, and the scientific committee are working on the conversion into an online event which will maintain an extraordinary, exciting program. The abstract submission period is already open.

I wish you all good health and best regards,

On behalf of the Working Group nucleus,

Laura Dos Subirà, Communication Coordinator 2020-2022