Decade-Long heart study reveals which childhood surgery works best

This study follows children born with a severe heart defect called HLHS, where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. Researchers are checking in on 237 children now aged 10-12 years old to see how their hearts are functioning long-term after they had one of two different shunt types placed during their first major surgery as newborns. The goal is to understand which surgical approach leads to better heart function, survival, and quality of life over many years.