In hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which ventricle must sustain systemic circulation after birth?

Prepare for the Fetal Echocardiography Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions that come with hints and explanations. Ace your exam preparation!

The right ventricle must sustain systemic circulation after birth. In hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the left-sided structures, including the left ventricle and the aortic/mitral valves, are severely underdeveloped, so they cannot generate the necessary systemic output. With the left heart unable to provide circulation to the body, the right ventricle takes on the job of pumping blood to the systemic circulation. This is possible because blood can reach the body via pathways that involve the ductus arteriosus and other connections created or relied upon in the staged palliation for HLHS, allowing the right ventricle to serve as the systemic ventricle after birth.