My Baby's Congenital Heart Defect

Baby Ethan has hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) which basically means the left side of his heart is too small to support life after birth. The image above is a comparison of a heart with HLHS and a normal heart from this site: Cardiology Site. Ethan has a left ventricle and an aorta but both are abnormally small (hypoplastic) and will not be able to supply the necessary circulation to the body. We are blessed to live in a day where technology is readily available for surgical intervention. His condition is not curable but three open heart surgeries can save his life. This last week we had an echocardiogram and the cardiologist confirmed that baby Ethan would need these three surgeries. I've included the 3 operations below which will occur the first 2-5 days of life, around 3-4 months, and around 4 years of age respectively.

1. Norwood Operation: "The Norwood operation involves connecting the origin of the pulmonary artery to the aorta, to allow the right ventricle to pump blood to the main circulation and a 'Shunt' operation, involving insertion of a tiny piece of artificial tube (made from Goretex) between the right arm artery and the right pulmonary artery, to maintain blood flow to the lungs." (http://www.rch.org.au/cardiology/heart_defects/Hypoplastic_Left_Heart_Syndrome_HD/) It is anticipated that recovery from this operation will take approximately two weeks. His skin color will be a little blue because the blood is mixed in the heart.

2. Bi-directional Cavo-pulomonary Shunt (BCPS): "The second operation is usually performed at about three months and is a "Bi-directional Cavo-pulomonary Shunt" (BCPS). This is an intermediate stage towards the final operation. It involves channeling blood from the SVC to the pulmonary arteries." (http://www.rch.org.au/cardiology/parent_info/Hypoplastic_Left_Heart_Syndrome/). Ethan will see the same surgeon in the same hospital for this operation and recovery is expected to be around two weeks as well. His skin color may still be a little blue. 

3. Fontan Operation: "The final operation is called the 'Fontan Operation', which is carried out at three to four years (or later). This leads to blue blood (low in oxygen) being channeled through the lungs, without any 'pump' driving it. The right ventricle then pumps the red blood (high in oxygen), round the body. This operation makes the child 'Pink' - but does not correct the original problem." (http://www.rch.org.au/cardiology/parent_info/Hypoplastic_Left_Heart_Syndrome/). 

I don't have the best understanding of this defect but I found the above pictures and sites helpful and comparable to what the doctor was explaining to me this last week. Ethan will not have a perfect heart after these operations, he will be living off "half a heart" so to say, but what can be done is amazing and I am grateful for the technology that we have today. Ethan will see a cardiologist the rest of his life to determine what he can and cannot do. He will not be able to do everything a child or adult with a "normal heart" can do but he will be able to live a wonderful life if all goes well. We are grateful for the many prayers from our friends and family and I know that things will work out the way they should. I love this little baby and I can't wait to meet him soon!!