Imaging for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Abstract

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a complex congenital heart defect with clinical presentation in the neonatal period. Echocardiography is the main diagnostic tool and allows detailed examination of the underlying anatomy and physiology and both pre and postnatally. In the following pages, key information regarding the evaluation of the interatrial septum, cardiac valves, right ventricular function, and ductal and aortic arches will be discussed in a systematic fashion allowing decision regarding the possible therapeutic strategies.

Narrative review of single ventricle: where are we after 40 years?

“…Currently, virtually almost all heart malformations are recognizable between the 16th and 18th week of pregnancy, with sensitivity greater than 96% and specificity approaching 100% (7,8). In addition to providing information on the presence of associated non-cardiac malformations (9) such as situs inversus in heterotaxy syndrome (10), prenatal echocardiography and cardiac MRI better delineates complex congenital heart defects, including "functionally" single ventricle physiology (11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Accurate prenatal imaging and diagnosis has been a necessary factor in conducting clinical trials for fetal interventional cardiology procedures (16)(17)(18), and have also resulted in planned, coordinated deliveries for babies with complex congenital heart defects at tertiary referral centers with the appropriate level of interventional and surgical care, resulting in improved survival outcomes (11)(12)(13)15,(19)(20)(21)(22).…”