Abstract
To review our experience in managing infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and to establish a consistent approach in counseling families based on our experience and on review of medical literature. Infants were divided into three group periods based on significant changes in the approach to treatment. After a diagnosis of HLHS was made, a multidisciplinary team met the family to discuss different management options: compassionate care, active treatment by heart transplantation, or Norwood staged surgery. Parents of 58 infants (58%) opted for compassionate care, and 41 (42%) opted for active treatment. Seven infants underwent heart transplantation and all remain alive. A total of 27 infants underwent Norwood stage I, and 19 (70%) survived. There was a significant increase in parental choice for active treatment over the three time periods. These results indicate that HLHS can no longer be regarded as a uniformly fatal congenital anomaly. However, due to uncertainty about long-term outcome, discussion with parents should be open, and compassionate care should be presented as a management option until long-term data are available.
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Schedule a callMore From: Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association
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