Double inlet left ventricle
Encyclopedia
A double inlet left ventricle (DILV) is a congenital heart defect
where both the left atrium
and the right atrium
feed into the left ventricle
. Usually a hypoplastic right ventricle also exists (the condition is sometimes referred to as "single ventricle"). The arteries are usually transposed (the aorta
from the right ventricle, and the pulmonary artery
from the left ventricle).
, and the Norwood procedure
. The goal of all of these is separating the pulmonary and the systemic circulation.
Congenital heart defect
A congenital heart defect is a defect in the structure of the heart and great vessels which is present at birth. Many types of heart defects exist, most of which either obstruct blood flow in the heart or vessels near it, or cause blood to flow through the heart in an abnormal pattern. Other...
where both the left atrium
Left atrium
The left atrium is one of the four chambers in the human heart. It receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins, and pumps it into the left ventricle, via the mitral valve.-Foramen ovale:...
and the right atrium
Right atrium
The right atrium is one of four chambers in the hearts of mammals and archosaurs...
feed into the left ventricle
Left ventricle
The left ventricle is one of four chambers in the human heart. It receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium via the mitral valve, and pumps it into the aorta via the aortic valve.-Shape:...
. Usually a hypoplastic right ventricle also exists (the condition is sometimes referred to as "single ventricle"). The arteries are usually transposed (the aorta
Aorta
The aorta is the largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it branches off into two smaller arteries...
from the right ventricle, and the pulmonary artery
Pulmonary artery
The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. They are the only arteries that carry deoxygenated blood....
from the left ventricle).
Effects
Infants born with DILV have excessive blood flow to the pulmonary circulation. They cannot feed normally and have difficulty gaining weight. Excessive pulmonary circulation leads to decreased systemic circulation (lack of oxygen to the body and organs). Infants develop cyanosis and/or breathlessness early.Treatment
This treatment is usually treated with surgery. Surgical options include the Damus-Kaye-Stansel Procedure, the Fontan procedureFontan procedure
The Fontan procedure, or Fontan/Kreutzer procedure, is a palliative surgical procedure used in children with complex congenital heart defects. It involves diverting the venous blood from the right atrium to the pulmonary arteries without passing through the morphologic pulmonary ventricle...
, and the Norwood procedure
Norwood procedure
The Norwood Procedure is a surgery performed on the heart, the first successful use of the procedure was reported by Norwood and colleagues in 1981.Cardiopulmonary bypass is required.-Indications:...
. The goal of all of these is separating the pulmonary and the systemic circulation.