By Sunjay Kaushal, MD; Helina Mehta, MD; Kristopher Deatrick, MD; Michael Slack, MD; Joshua Hare, MD
Introduction
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) is characterized by significant underdevelopment of the left side of the heart, which is defined by hypoplasia of the left ventricle associated with severe mitral and aortic stenosis or atresia, and hypoplasia of the ascending aorta and aortic arch. Since there is essentially no left ventricle, the right ventricle pumps blood to both pulmonary and systemic circulations. After delivery, survival depends on a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) and nonrestrictive Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), as well as the absence of aortic restriction (coarctation) of PDA blood flow to the coronary arteries via the ascending aorta.
To read the full article, please go to the December 2017 Issue of CCT, where it was originally published.