Question

Due to a development abnormality the wall of the left ventricle of an infant's heart is a thin as that of the right ventricle. what will be its effect on the circulation of blood?

Answer 1

You must be referring to Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (Hypoplastic left heart syndrome ) wherein the left side of the heart including the left ventricle remains underdeveloped. This has serious implications as the left ventricle is responsible for pumping blood to the the rest of the body and is essential for survival. In children who survive a number of adjustments in the circulation ensure that the right ventricle also pumps blood to the rest of the body. The child may not survive subsequently unless some surgery is performed. Conventionally a stage surgery is recomnended, namely Norwood procedure , followed by Glenn Shunt and finally Fontan procedure.