Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome is the most complex heart defect (generally). There is still a worrisome mortality rate with these kids. Children who have this defect have 3 open heart surgeries early in life and over the course of the surgeries, doctors literally shut down an entire ventricle so the heart is functioning with 3 chambers instead of 4. Because every heart and every body is different, each child responds differently to this transition. It is a really scary defect. They have only just recently began really doing these surgeries well. 20 and 30 years ago, almost all of these kids died. This is a video though of a 30 year old man born with HLHS!!! He is the oldest survivor with the defect! It is just amazing!
I wanted to share it with you because it makes me so happy! This is a LONG video clip and this story begins 19 minutes and 42 seconds into it, so when you start it, move it ahead so you don't have to watch the whole thing! (I haven't watched any of the other clips - so don't hold me responsible!! :-) )
http://www.wedu.org/Content/VideoPop/SH_March_2008.aspx
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