Medical Encyclopedia

Medical Encyclopedia

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a congenital heart condition that occurs during the development of the heart in the mother's womb. During the heart's development, parts of the left side of the heart (mitral valve, left ventricle aortic valve, and aorta) do not develop completely. In patients with this condition, the left side of the heart is unable to send enough blood to the body.

Update Date: 4/24/2008

Updated by: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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