Current management of infants and children with single ventricle anatomy.
Children with single ventricle anatomy are among the most complicated and challenging patients encountered in pediatric cardiology. Current management involves staged surgical procedures, beginning with neonatal palliation and followed by a bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis in infancy and culminating in the Fontan procedure. The Fontan procedure, despite separating the circulation, remains a palliative procedure with many long-term concerns. This report discusses the staged surgical management of patients with single ventricle anatomy and the nursing issues relevant to each stage.
O'Brien
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P
Cardiovascular Program, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. patricia.obrien@tch.harvard.edu
Boisvert
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JT
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D018729:Fontan Procedure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D018610:Heart Bypass, Right / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D012944:Social Support