Strong Heart and Vascular Center
Heart Conditions
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
In this defect, the entire left side of the heart, including the aorta, aortic valve, left ventricle and mitral valve are not fully developed. As a result, blood flow depends upon an atrial septal defect.
Symptoms of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
Typically children with this defect seem perfectly healthy at birth, but symptoms begin to develop within the first few days of life. Symptoms include:
- Ashen look to the skin
- Difficulty feeding
- Rapid breathing
- Difficulty breathing
When a baby develops these symptoms, seek medical care immediately.
Treatment Options
Although this defect cannot be corrected, it can be treated through medication and a series of surgical procedures. Treatment will involve the following steps:
- Medication - Until
surgery is performed, IV medication aids in circulating blood
through the heart.
- Norwood
procedure - Allows the right ventricle
to pump blood to the lungs and out into the body.
- Bi-directional
Glenn (also called Fontan operation or lateral tunnel) -
Connects
the veins pumping blood to the heart and pulmonary artery.
- Heart transplant