Hypoplastic left heart syndrome: new developments and current controversies.
Prior to 1980, the diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) was almost uniformly lethal. Over the past 25 years, the development of operative options, including staged surgical palliation and infant heart transplant, have resulted in major improvements in survival and quality-of-life outcomes. Throughout this period, the optimal treatment strategy for children with HLHS has continued to be controversial. Current advances include fetal diagnosis, medical management, catheter intervention and operative techniques, and hold great promise for further improvements. However, as new techniques continue to evolve, controversies will continue to arise. This article will explore the treatment strategies for children with HLHS and review current controversies surrounding this complex congenital cardiac disease.
Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, Division of Pediatric Cardiology and the Congenital Heart Center, C. S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0204, USA. Cgoldber@umich.edu
Caren S
CS
Goldberg
Carlen A
CA
Gomez
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D018636:Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000196:embryology / Q000628:therapy*; D007229:Infant Welfare; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal