Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

grow and develop normally; few restrictions are placed upon physical activity for most. In fact, some children escape the Norwood without so much as a need for medication!

As with all other surgical procedures, there are potential complications, which include a failure of the Norwood type of circulation (perhaps due to the right ventricle's inability to pump with sufficient power to distribute blood throughout the body), and the development of cardiac arrythmias (abnormal heart rythms). However, it bears mentioning that even "uncomplicated" open-heart surgical procedures increase a person's risk for heart-rythm disturbances and congestive heart failure (for more information related to this topic, please refer to the two-part series dealing with CHF).

Given these very promising statistics, the parents of an unborn child afflicted with HLHS are much less likely to rule out surgical intervention. The use of sophisticated ultrasonographic techniques have further reduced the risks involved by allowing for a thorough and accurate prenatal diagnosis, enabling a team of cardiologists to assess the situation immediately following the birth of an affected baby. Here is a still-frame ultrasound image of a normal heart, contrasted by one afflicted with HLHS.

All this being said, the outlook for HLHS patients has never been more encouraging!

For further information and support related to this topic, please consult "Left Heart Matters", an excellent support group for parents and patients affected by HLHS. They can be reached here: http://www.lhm.org.uk/

Take care and God bless, Kristine

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