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>> BASICALLY, HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME IS A SITUATION
WHERE THERE IS AN UNDERDEVELOPED LEFT VENTRICLE.
>> THAT'S USUALLY THE PUMPING CHAMBER THAT PUMPS BLOOD
FROM THE HEART TO THE REST OF THE BODY.
>> IT CAN INVOLVE THE MITRAL VALVE, WHICH IS THE VALVE
ENTERING THE LEFT VENTRICLE.
IT CAN INVOLVE THE LEFT VENTRICLE ITSELF,
AND IT CAN INVOLVE THE AORTA, WHICH IS THE ARTERY LEAVING
THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HEART TO THE BODY.
>> THE AORTA, WHICH CARRIES BLOOD TO THE BODY,
IS FREQUENTLY VERY SMALL AND BLOCKED.
>> THE ULTIMATE PROBLEM HERE IS THAT THE LEFT VENTRICLE CANNOT
SUPPORT THE CIRCULATION.
>> SO WITHOUT A LEFT SIDE THAT'S BIG ENOUGH,
IT'S NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO PROVIDE BLOOD FLOW TO THE BODY.