Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) Flashcards
How is HLHS caused?
HLHS is caused when the left side of the heart doesn’t form correctly during pregnancy.
What does HLHS stand for?
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
What does HLHS generally affect?
HLHS generally affects normal blood flow through the heart.
What will infants with HLHS need soon after birth?
Infants with HLHS will need surgery soon after birth
Is HLHS a critical CHD?
Yes
What structures does HLHS affect? (1) Why? (1)
HLHS affects structures on the left side of the heart, as they do not fully develop.
What specific structures of the heart does HLHS affect and how? (4)
For people with HLHS, their…
-LV is underdeveloped
-MV is not formed or is very small
-AV is not formed or very small
-Ascending Aorta is underdeveloped or too small/narrow
What do HLHS victims often also have? (2)
HLHS victims often also have ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) and PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus)
What is a PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus)?
Patent ductus arteriosus: An extra blood vessel that connects the top of the MPA and the bottom of the arcus aortae.
HLHS may not be a _____ for the first _____ _____ of life, while the _____ and other _____ _____ remain _____.
HLHS may not be a problem for the first few days of life, while the PDA and other irregular openings remain open.
Infants may quickly develop _____ and _____ after _____ _____ (such as _____) _____.
Infants may quickly develop signs and symptoms after irregular openings (such as PDA) close.
What are some signs and symptoms of HLHS? When do they usually begin to appear?
Some signs and symptoms of HLHS include:
-Problems breathing
-Tachycardia
-Weak pulse
-Cyanosis
Signs and symptoms for HLHS usually begin to appear as irregular openings (such as PDA) close.
What is cyanosis?
Cyanosis is the condition of having bluish lips, skin, and nails because of low blood oxygen levels.
What are some treatment options for HLHS? (3)
Some treatment options for HLHS include:
-Medicine
-High-calorie formula
-Surgery
What can medicines do to help treat HLHS? (3)
Medicines can do the following to help treat HLHS:
-Strengthen heart muscle
-Lower BP
-Help the body get extra fluid
What can surgeries do to help treat HLHS? (3)
Surgeries can do the following to help treat HLHS:
-Help increase blood flow to the body
-Help blood to bypass the left side of the heart
-Help the RV become the main pumping chamber for blood to reach the body
Why may high-calorie formulas be prescribed for patients with HLHS? What may patients also need?
Special high-calorie formulas may be prescribed to patients with HLHS because they are too tired to eat normally, but still need to gain weight. Feeding tubes may be required in extreme cases.
Patients with HLHS may have _____ _____
Patients with HLHS may have lifelong complications.
Are surgeries a cure for HLHS?
No
If the HLHS is complex or the heart becomes weak after the surgeries, … (1)
If the HLHS is complex or the heart becomes weak after the surgeries, a heart transplant may be needed.
Patients with HLHS will need _____ _____
Patients with HLHS will need routine checkups.
Heart transplant receivers will need to… (1) These will… (1)
Heart transplant receivers will need to take medicines for the rest of their lives. These medications will help prevent the body from rejecting the new heart.
