While a person cannot literally live with only half of their heart anatomically present, there are conditions where one side of the heart is significantly underdeveloped or non-functional, effectively meaning it doesn't contribute to circulation as it should.
This is most clearly seen in a condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS).
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) Explained
- What it is: HLHS is a severe congenital heart defect where the left side of the heart (including the left ventricle, mitral valve, aortic valve, and aorta) is severely underdeveloped. This means that the left side of the heart is too small to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
- Functionally, one side is compromised: Although the physical structure is present, the left side's inability to effectively pump blood means it's essentially non-functional. This places the entire burden of circulation on the right side of the heart.
- Treatment: HLHS requires a series of complex surgeries (often Norwood procedure, Glenn shunt, and Fontan procedure) to redirect blood flow and allow the right ventricle to pump blood to both the lungs and the body. These surgeries don't "fix" the left side, but rather bypass its function.
- Living with HLHS: Individuals with HLHS who undergo surgical intervention can survive and live into adulthood, but they require lifelong cardiac care and are at risk for various complications. The right ventricle has to work much harder, and this places significant stress on the heart.
Therefore, while the heart remains a single organ, in conditions like HLHS, one side is so underdeveloped that it cannot perform its intended function, giving the functional impression of "half a heart." The medical interventions aim to create a circulatory system that can function with essentially one pumping chamber doing the work of both.
