Longer-term issues for young adults with hypoplastic left heart syndrome: contraception, pregnancy, transition, transfer, counselling, and re-operation

Abstract

AbstractHypoplastic left heart syndrome remained a largely untreated lesion until the 1980s. In the current era, 75–80% of patients who are managed at “centres of excellence” can be expected to survive into young adulthood after staged palliation. This improved survival has led to an emerging population of patients now entering adulthood with a new set of concerns. We discuss the realised and potential issues that will be faced by these patients, including family planning, transition, and re-operation.