Bokhari SFH, Faizan Sattar SM, Mehboob U, Umais M, Ahmad M, Malik A, Bakht D, Iqbal A, Dost W. Advancements in prenatal diagnosis and management of hypoplastic left heart syndrome: A multidisciplinary approach and future directions. World J Cardiol 2025; 17(3): 103668 [DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v17.i3.103668]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Wahidullah Dost, Curative Medicine, Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Karte-e-sakhi Kabul, Kabul 10001, Kābul, Afghanistan. wahidullahdost96@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Cardiol. Mar 26, 2025; 17(3): 103668 Published online Mar 26, 2025. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v17.i3.103668
Advancements in prenatal diagnosis and management of hypoplastic left heart syndrome: A multidisciplinary approach and future directions
Syed Faqeer Hussain Bokhari, Syed M Faizan Sattar, Umair Mehboob, Muhammad Umais, Muhammad Ahmad, Ahmad Malik, Danyal Bakht, Asma Iqbal, Wahidullah Dost
Syed Faqeer Hussain Bokhari, Syed M Faizan Sattar, Umair Mehboob, Muhammad Umais, Muhammad Ahmad, Ahmad Malik, Danyal Bakht, Asma Iqbal, Department of Medicine and Surgery, King Edward Medical University, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan
Wahidullah Dost, Curative Medicine, Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Kabul 10001, Kābul, Afghanistan
Author contributions: Bokhari SFH contributed to the conceptualization and design of the study, supervised data collection, critically revised the manuscript, and provided overall guidance throughout the research; Faizan Sattar SM conducted the literature review, participated in data analysis, and contributed significantly to editing the manuscript; Mehboob U assisted in data collection, statistical analysis, and interpretation of findings, and contributed to manuscript preparation and revisions; Umais M provided technical support, contributed to the methodology section, and participated in manuscript proofreading; Faizan Sattar SM and Umais M contributed to drafting the manuscript; Ahmad M assisted in the literature search, organized the data for analysis, and provided input during manuscript revisions; Malik A supported data collection and organization, contributed to writing the results section, and ensured accuracy in reporting; Bakht D contributed to data validation and visualization and provided input on the manuscript’s discussion and conclusion sections; Iqbal A assisted in finalizing the manuscript, ensured adherence to formatting and journal guidelines and reviewed the references for accuracy; Dost W contributed to the review of the manuscript, provided feedback on the discussion section, and ensured clarity in presenting the study’s clinical implications; all authors thoroughly reviewed and endorsed the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Wahidullah Dost, Curative Medicine, Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Karte-e-sakhi Kabul, Kabul 10001, Kābul, Afghanistan. wahidullahdost96@gmail.com
Received: November 28, 2024 Revised: February 12, 2025 Accepted: February 27, 2025 Published online: March 26, 2025 Processing time: 114 Days and 21.1 Hours
Abstract
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a severe congenital defect involving underdeveloped left-sided cardiac structures, leading to significant mortality and morbidity. Prenatal diagnosis using fetal ultrasound and echocardiography enables early detection, family counseling, and improved clinical decision-making. Advanced prenatal interventions, such as fetal aortic valvuloplasty and atrial septostomy, show promise but require careful patient selection. A multidisciplinary approach involving obstetricians, neonatologists, and pediatric cardiologists is vital for effective management. Future directions include refining imaging techniques, such as three-dimensional ultrasound, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, and exploring bioengineering solutions, stem cell therapies, and genetic research. These advancements aim to improve therapeutic options and address current limitations, including transplant scarcity and postoperative complications. Although surgical innovations have improved survival rates, challenges remain, including neurological risks and long-term hemodynamic issues. Ongoing research and technological advancements are essential to enhance outcomes and quality of life for hypoplastic left heart syndrome patients.
Core Tip: Congenital heart diseases, including hypoplastic left heart syndrome, are among the most significant fetal malformations due to their high morbidity and mortality rates. Recent advancements in prenatal diagnosis, including fetal echocardiography and imaging techniques, have revolutionized early detection and facilitated informed parental decision-making. Innovative prenatal management strategies, such as fetal aortic valvuloplasty and bioengineering therapies, offer the potential to improve outcomes. Despite advancements, challenges remain in imaging precision, treatment optimization, and genetic understanding of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for advancing care and exploring future directions, including stem cell therapy and bioengineered hearts, to enhance survival and quality of life for affected patients.
