HYPOPLASTIC LEFT-HEART SYNDROME - MULTIPROFESSIONAL FOLLOW-UP IN THE MIDTERM FOLLOWING PALLIATIVE PROCEDURES

Of the 12 children who represent the complete cohort of Norwegian pati ents surviving the complete palliative operative programme for hypopla stic left heart syndrome, 10 were studied by a pediatric cardiologist, a pediatric neurologist, a neuropsychologist and a child psychiatrist . We found significant morbidity. Hemodynamic function was relatively uncompromised in eight of the patients, but one had significant cyanos is due to use of an operative technique subsequently abandoned and one had obstruction of the flow of blood from the left to the right atriu m. Five children had disturbances of rhythm, with one requiring insert ion of a pacemaker. One child had epilepsy. Delayed motor development, most often to mild degree, was found in seven children, while six had attention problems. Mental retardation was found in two children and autistic traits in one. Despite these various problems, the parents we re seemingly satisfied with their own lives, and the quality of life o f their children.