Coming from behind to win - A Qualitative research about psychological conditions of adolescents who have undergone open-heart surgery for single ventricle between the ages 0-5

Apprehensions of the parents when their children have health problems of vital importance have been widely witnessed. The natural unpredictability harbored by the possibility of losing a child is one of the most difficult trials encountered by the human mind. Some children and parents overcome this tribulation by the help of physicians, but some cannot. Early recognition of complex cardiac pathologies and their correction at birth or at infancy is therefore of vital importance. Life goes on for the lucky children who have undergone a successful surgery and the parents who have suffered profound anxiety throughout the entire process. On account of the developments in cardiac surgery, surveillance of the children with congenital cardiac defects has widened considerably enabling 85% of the cases to reach adolescence and adulthood [1]. Thus, the population of adolescents and young adults who have had open heart surgery at a very early age is increasing [2]. However, another process takes start in the lives of these individuals who have undergone surgery, such as periodic follow-ups and occasions of facing complications like arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension, hematological problems and cardiac failure [3]. The questions are how good the quality of life will be for these patients, what the qualitative effects of difficult experiences in early life will be in young adulthood, and what the extent of the psychological effects of the illness are. There are studies on the lives of adolescents and young adults who were born with congenital heart disorders. Some are designed to assess academic performance by means of tests and questionnaires and some investigate quality of life, anxiety status, depression and conformity [4-7], and have been useful in revealing the psychological problems experienced. There are relatively much less data on those who have had successful corrective surgery at a very early age and are able to survive without suffering major health problems. Reports