Despite improvement in therapies, counseling families and managing babies with HLHS remains controversial. The objective of this study was to review our experience with HLHS in the whole Province of Alberta and together with a literature review decide what is the best approach in the management of these babies. Records of all term babies with HLHS admitted to both level III NICU and PICU from January 1987 to November 1995 were reviewed. A total of 76 babies were studied. After parental discussions 52(68%) were considered for compassionate care and 24 (32%) were initially enrolled in an active treatment regimen. Data from these 24 patients were analyzed.Table Conclusion: A review of the literature and of our results shows improvement in survival with active treatment. In the past, despite presenting all options to the parents, there appeared to be physician bias towards compassionate care. Although compassionate care still remains a valid option we now think that surgical intervention deserves equal consideration.

Table 1
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