Biventricular repair after stage II univentricular surgery: palliation is not a one-way path.

Abstract

Surgical decision in mild forms of hypoplastic left heart syndrome can be challenging. Once a univentricular pathway has been chosen, it can be difficult to reconsider a biventricular repair. A commitment to a palliative pathway is usually considered irreversible after initial univentricular repair. We present this case as an example in which the primary surgical palliation pathway was altered, and eventually a successful biventricular repair was performed in a mild variant of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, despite the fact that maneuvers to promote left ventricular growth were not recruited at the time of initial surgery.