Typically during adulthood the common pediatric manifestation of cardiac rhabdomyomas has completely regressed. However, some individuals with TSC will continue to have small evidence of these lesions throughout adulthood. There is not sufficient evidence to know if these lesions cause issues during adulthood; however, one problematic issue that can occur is irregular heartbeats known as cardiac arrhythmias or conduction defects. One arrhythmia that has been well documented within the literature is Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW Syndrome). Because of these potential possibilities diagnostic testing such as echocardiogram (ECHO) and electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) should be completed every 1 – 3 years for those who do have symptoms. Those who do will most likely have more frequent follow-up and diagnostic surveillance that your cardiologist feels necessary. There are no specific TSC guidelines for these manifestations, which are managed the same as the general public experiencing these same symptoms.
