Although the use of ECLS in patients with single ventricle physiology still carries a significant risk, prompt initiation of support can improve the outcome in a group of patients with impaired cardiopulmonary function after stage I palliation.

LBW newborns with HLHS and physiologic variants have an increased early surgical risk but have acceptable intermediate survival rates for subsequent palliation including Fontan. LBW and prematurity should not be contraindications to early surgical palliation.

No abstract