The functional single ventricle: how imaging guides treatment.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• Functional single ventricle (FSV) represents a spectrum of severe congenital heart defects.
• Increased survival rates in FSV patients necessitate frequent imaging for management.
• Imaging is vital for surgical planning and functional assessment in FSV patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline key imaging findings in functional single ventricle (FSV) management.
• To highlight imaging's role in detecting complications at each surgical stage.
• To describe lesions characteristic of FSV diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging findings across different surgical stages of FSV.
• Correlation of imaging with surgical planning and postoperative evaluation.
• Description of characteristic FSV lesions and associated imaging features.

Main Results:

• Unique imaging findings are critical for FSV management at each surgical phase.
• Imaging aids in the early detection of postoperative complications.
• Specific imaging features help define the diagnosis of FSV.

Conclusions:

• Comprehensive understanding of imaging findings is essential for optimal FSV patient care.
• Multistage imaging surveillance guides surgical interventions and improves outcomes.
• This review provides a roadmap for interpreting imaging in the context of FSV progression.