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Hypoplastic left heart

Alternative names:

hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Definition:

Underdevelopment of the left side of the heart.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome occurs when there is inadequate development of the left ventricle and associated vascular structures (aortic and mitral valves and aorta). This causes the left side of the heart to be unable to carry out its job of maintaining circulation through the body. Both pulmonary (lung) and systemic (body) circulation must be maintained by the right side of the heart which soon goes into right-sided heart failure.


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