Fetal Echo in Ohio Results

Today we met with Jacob's Pediatric Cardiologist in Ohio. A much more pleasant experience than we have been used to with the doctors. And we also met, Becky, the program coordinator I have been talking to on the phone for weeks. Everyone here is super nice.

Results of the echo confirmed Jacob's hypo plastic left heart. His left valve and ventricle are very small. Also unfortunately we found out he has a mild leak in this Triccspict Valve, which is not good. But the doctors will be able to see the seriousness of that after he is born. If it needs to be taken care of they will probably fix the valve along with Jacob's second surgery.

For acquiring minds, here is just some general information about HPLH: About 1,000 to 2,000 babies are born with HPLH each year. The exact cause is unknown. While in the womb the babies do not have any problems before birth or during delivery since they are connected to their moms by the placenta. Every baby is born with a blood vessel that connects the pulmonary artery and the aorta that allows oxygen rich blood from the placenta get to the baby's aorta. Usually this blood vessel closes at several hours to days after birth. With HPLH since the left side of the heart is undeveloped, once the blood vessel closes, the blood flow to the babies body becomes very low and they become very sick. Without surgery the babies would die.

We are doing the Hybrid Approach for surgery, since it can be preformed without the use of blood. I will fill you in on the details of this after our meeting tomorrow with the surgeon.