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A 74-year-old unoperated univentricular heart: the oldest reported survival

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 October 2015

Valentina Gesuete*
Affiliation:
Pediatric Cardiology Unit, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Marianna Fabi
Affiliation:
Pediatric Cardiology Unit, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Marco Bonvicini
Affiliation:
Pediatric Cardiology Unit, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
*
Correspondence to: V. Gesuete, MD, Pediatric Cardiology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. Tel: +39 051 636 3435; Fax: +39 051 636 3116; E-mail: valegesuete@hotmail.it

Abstract

Univentricular heart is a rare congenital heart malformation. Nowadays prognosis is considered to be strictly linked to surgical intervention, and survival into late adulthood is unusual.

In some patients native haemodynamic circulation balances pulmonary and systemic blood flow, allowing long-term survival without the need for surgery.

We report the case of a 74-year-old man with a univentricular heart in natural history, and we discuss the factors that might contribute to his extraordinary long-term survival.

Type
Brief Reports
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2015 

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