Single Ventricle Program

This program provides a multidisciplinary approach to treat the whole child. Our team includes cardiologists, nurses, dietitians, social workers, cardiac exercise physiologists and clinical therapists who bring years of experience and knowledge to keep children with single ventricles healthy and thriving. Our program offers comprehensive care, utilizing testing that adheres to current recommendations. The single ventricle team works closely with your child's primary cardiologist for complete Fontan care.

What is the Fontan procedure?

The Fontan is the final planned palliative surgery in the single ventricle pathway. It's performed in order to supply blood to the lungs, allowing oxygenated blood to then be pumped with the single pumping chamber to the rest of the body. Though this surgery helps improve quality of life, it's not a cure. The Fontan circulation presents an increased risk of complications to other organs such as the liver, kidneys and lungs. Our Single Ventricle Program is set up to monitor complications that can arise due to Fontan circulation, such as:

• Arrhythmias
• Heart failure
• Plastic bronchitis, a lung issue that causes a soft, rubbery-like substance to build up in the airways
• Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), a digestive tract issue that can cause diarrhea and body swelling
• Liver and kidney issues
• Single ventricle-specific cardiac problems such as Fontan pathway obstruction, valvular dysfunction or ventricular dysfunction

Fontan care may include:

• Blood tests for maintaining Fontan health
• Cardiac catheterizations
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI)
• Echocardiograms
• Electrocardiograms (ECG)
• Cardiac event monitor, used to monitor cardiac rhythm for a while
• Exercise and lung function testing
• Liver imaging
• Neurodevelopmental care
• Psychological care

What to expect at your visit:

At the ages of 12, 15 and 18 years, your child will visit with one of our cardiologists. These appointments likely won't require testing during the visit, as it should've been completed beforehand. They'll review testing with you and your child about the overall heart health. The single-ventricle cardiologist will work closely with your primary cardiologist for complete Fontan care. Other members of the team may also meet with you to address additional issues such as dietary concerns, psychological concerns or financial concerns.