title: [Single-ventricle heart defects--long-term prognosis, late complications and quality of life].
abstract: Treatment of a single-ventricle heart defect involves redirecting of systemic venous blood returning to the heart to gradually flow directly into the pulmonary artery without the functional right side of the heart being involved. In developed countries, three out of four persons with this ailment will nowadays reach adulthood. Among these, at least one out of four presents significant associated problems and late complications. The most significant problems include heart failure, arrhythmias, cyanosis and thromboembolic complications that increase over time. In addition to these, neurological complications have an influence on the quality of life in some patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Labatt Family Heart Center, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8 Canada.
authors.forename: Taisto
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sarkola
authors.forename: Jaana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pihkala
authors.forename: Heta
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nieminen
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sairanen
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jokinen