Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome - HLHS : Heart Disease : Heart Disease Online

	From your Guide Dr.MANI
*Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome*

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NEW ! Special Report Dr.Mani's AFTER THE FONTAN *How Fontan survivors fare in the long term*	Visit website Request details Order a copy
If your child - someone you love very much - has had the Fontan operation, you must have often wondered what the future holds ... Can my child study ? Play ? Work ? Marry ? Have kids ? YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION ! Dr.Mani's NEW report, AFTER THE FONTAN, deals with survival after the Fontan, quality of life issues and complications of the Fontan procedure. To learn more about this essential report, CLICK HERE

What can the surgeon actually do ?

Just around 10 years ago, all that specialists could do for HLHS kids was to pray ! Things changed with the innovative effort of a brilliant cardiac surgeon, DR.WILLIAM NORWOOD. While Dr.Norwood was working with one of the greatest paediatric cardiac surgeons of our times - DR.ALDO CASTANEDA - he conceived the operation for HLHS that bears his name. Rapid strides in treating HLHS have taken place ever since then, and results are improving.

Early diagnosis and stabilization

The first step in treating HLHS is recognizing the condition early. It is now possible to reliably detect HLHS even as early as 16 to 20 weeks into a pregnancy, by ultrasonography. Such pregnancies need close monitoring and co-ordinated management by many medical specialists. These children must preferably be delivered in a hospital which is equipped to manage HLHS cases, or transported to such a center immediately after birth.
As I have explained earlier, the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is what keeps the HLHS child alive. This PDA has a tendency to close after birth, and must be kept open. It is possible to do so by using a drug called Prostaglandin (Prostacyclin). This is truly the "miracle drug" of pediatric cardiology. Many birth defects of the heart that need a PDA for survival can be treated initially with prostaglandin.
A "prostaglandin drip" is started soon after the child is born. This must only be done in a well equipped hospital, under the guidance of qualified physicians. Children treated with prostaglandin may need artificial respiration if their breathing effort becomes weak. Once the child's condition has improved, surgery is possible with lesser risk. This may take a day or two of intensive therapy. It must not however be unduly delayed.

What are the surgical options ? Read on ....

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