02/06/2026
Today is National Wear Red Day! And we are wearing red for our sweet Lukey pookie. (I swear, he’s never going to answer to “Luke” because we rarely call him that😂).
Since February is ❤️HEART MONTH❤️
I wanted to share some facts regarding Luke’s diagnosis, (HLHS), for those of you who don’t know what it is or have never heard of it.
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a severe congenital heart defect in which the left side of the heart is underdeveloped.
In a normal heart , the heart's left side has the job of pumping oxygenated blood into the aorta, the large artery that carries blood to the body. In a child with HLHS:
❤️The mitral valve, which separates the upper and lower left chambers of the heart, is too small or completely closed (atretic).
❤️The left ventricle (the lower, pumping chamber) is very small.
❤️The aortic valve, which separates the left ventricle and the aorta, is too small or completely closed (atretic).
In addition to the most common form of HLHS shown in the animation below, there are a number of similar complex cardiac conditions sometimes called “HLHS variants.” In these children, the treatment strategy is similar to those with the more typical HLHS, which is shown in the animations below.
Treatment for HLHS:
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is most often fatal without early intervention. Compared to 35 years ago, there are now many different options for treatment of this complex heart condition; an individualized approach is taken for each and every child. Your doctor will explain each individual option, and why one particular approach might be recommended for your child.
HLHS surgeries:
Typically, your child will require open heart surgery to re-direct the oxygen-rich ("red") blood and oxygen-poor ("blue") blood. After these operations:
❤️The right side of the heart will do what is usually the job of the left side — pumping oxygenated blood to the body.
❤️The deoxygenated blood will flow from the veins to the lungs without passing through the heart.
The series of three reconstructive operations to repair HLHS — the Norwood, Glenn and Fontan procedures — is known as "Staged Reconstruction ." Surgeons reconfigure the heart and circulatory system during these procedures.
❤️Stage 1: Norwood procedure
This operation will occur within several days of birth. Depending on the type of heart defect, different surgical procedures may be used, including the Norwood procedure. The purpose of this operation is to ensure that blood flow is controlled enough to prevent damage to the heart and lungs, and that enough blood is reaching the lungs to keep the child alive until the second operation.
❤️Stage 2: Hemi-Fontan or Glenn operation
The second procedure, known as the hemi-Fontan or Glenn operation usually occurs within six months of birth. During this surgery the superior vena cava — a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body into the heart — is disconnected from the heart and attached to the pulmonary artery. After this operation, deoxygenated blood from the upper body goes directly to the lungs without passing through the heart.
❤️Stage 3: Fontan procedure
This operation, called the Fontan procedure, occurs at approximately 1 1/2 to 3 years of age. During this surgery the inferior vena cava, a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body into the heart, is disconnected from the heart and attached to the pulmonary artery. After this operation, all of the deoxygenated blood from the body goes directly to the lungs without passing through the heart.
❤️There is no CURE for HLHS. Due to the advancements in medical science and surgeries, Luke will be able to live a somewhat healthy and normal life❤️
