No abstract

Children with HLHS most often function in the low-normal range of intelligence and adaptive behavior. A prolonged circulatory arrest time may result in decreased intellectual function.

A prospective, large-scale study of the comprehensive outcomes of staged repair and transplantation is needed. This study will need to address the longer-term developmental and quality-of-life outcomes, as well as the long-term cost effectiveness of these procedures.

In our study group of children without underlying cardiac disease or electrolyte imbalance, cisapride was found to have no significant effect on cardiac electrical function compared with placebo. These results are consistent with the drug's record of exceedingly infrequent cardiac events. Because the availability of this prokinetic is threatened, its safety and the safety and efficacy of alternative treatment options (including surgery) should be studied further.