Current Trends and Critical Care Considerations for the Management of Single Ventricle Neonates

Abstract

The diagnostic capabilities, palliative procedures, and critical care therapies for neonates with single ventricle heart disease have rapidly evolved. We aimed to review current trends for intensivists and cardiologists caring for this population. Enhanced diagnostics and 3-dimensional modeling can be instrumental in planning care pathways for these neonates. Additionally, the ability to palliate many of these patients with catheter-based therapies rather than traditional surgical approaches has allowed for reduced morbidity. There are significant improvements in the understanding of how critical care therapies affect survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes in this population. Despite advancements in the understanding of longer-term outcomes in this population, much remains to be discovered about how initial palliation, critical care strategies, surgical techniques, and extracorporeal support can be optimized for the most favorable neurodevelopmental outcomes, survival, and quality of life. This will be the major focus of future research through larger collaboratives.