Hypoplastic Right Hearts
Search 
Welcome to Hypoplastic Right Hearts
Monday, May 12 2008 @ 12:28 PM EDT

Submit Article   Calendar   Advanced Search   Directory   My Downloads   Web Resources   FAQ
Topics
Home
GoodSearch
HRH Menu
User Functions
Username:

Password:

Events
Site Events

Thursday 15-May
  • Noah Sherman's PC appt
  • Eli Schaffer's Cardiac MRI
  • Victor Medina's due date

  • Tuesday 20-May
  • Michael Singleton's Cath
  • Karena Short's Birthday

  • Thursday 22-May
  • Michael Singleton's Fontan
  • heart cath
  • Kaylie Bremser's Cath

  • Saturday 24-May
  • Ashley DeMarco's Birthday

  • Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome
    Untitled Document


    Hypoplastic right heart syndrome (HRHS) refers to underdevelopment of the right sided structures of the heart. These defects cause inadequate blood flow to the lungs and thus, a blue or cyanotic infant. The major problem is pulmonary valve atresia (absence). This valve normally opens and closes to let blood flow to the pulmonary artery. Secondary problems include a very small (hypoplastic) right ventricle (lower chamber which normally pumps blood to the lungs); a small tricuspid valve (this valve allows blood to flow into the right ventricle) and a small (hypoplastic) pulmonary artery. Also, the blood flow into the coronary arteries may be abnormal causing damage to the heart muscle.

    The infant is born with two connections that help blood flow. These are a foramen ovale (hole between the atria) and patent ductus arteriosus (or PDA, a blood vessel between the aorta and pulmonary artery). As these connections begin to close, the infant becomes critically ill.

    Because the blue blood cannot pass through the right side of the heart to get to the lungs, it crosses into the left atrium and mixes with red blood returning from the lungs. This mixed blood is pumped out of the aorta. The only way in which blood gets to the lungs is through the PDA. The PDA must be maintained open with medicine (PGE1). Surgery is usually performed shortly after starting PGE1 to create an artificial connection (shunt) between the aorta and the pulmonary artery to deliver blood to the lungs.

    © The Heart Institute for Children

    No News to Display
    There are no news stories to display. There may be no news for this topic or your user preferences may be too restrictive
    Latest Posts
    Order: New Views Posts
    Latest Forum Posts
    Need advice
     By:  StephanieToledo
     On:  05/12/08 11:52 AM
     Views 81 Replies 7
    Australia Names CHD ..
     By:  DorothyMorrison
     On:  05/12/08 09:07 AM
     Views 40 Replies 4
    Happy Birthday Micha..
     By:  JanPelrine
     On:  05/11/08 10:03 AM
     Views 54 Replies 8
    Remembering Angel La..
     By:  KimHavelos
     On:  05/10/08 20:24 PM
     Views 100 Replies 10
    Happy Late Birthday ..
     By:  KimHavelos
     On:  05/10/08 20:09 PM
     Views 43 Replies 7
    What's New
    STORIES
    No new stories

    COMMENTS last 2 days
    No new comments

    TRACKBACKS last 2 days
    No new trackback comments

    LINKS last 2 weeks
    No recent new links


    FAQs last 2 wks
    No new FAQ