The Single Ventricle Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is part of CHOP’s renowned Cardiac Center, a global leader in pediatric heart surgery, interventional cardiology and long-term follow-up, with outcomes among the best in the world. Our team includes internationally recognized experts who are redefining care for single ventricle defects. We are proud to be consistently ranked one of the top pediatric cardiology and heart surgery programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek. 

From the earliest prenatal diagnosis through adulthood, we provide comprehensive, coordinated care for children with single ventricle defects — including our Fetal Heart Program, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Infant Single Ventricle Monitoring Program, Fontan Rehabilitation, Wellness, Activity and Resilience Development (FORWARD) Program, and the Philadelphia Adult Congenital Heart Center. Every service is designed to improve both the quality and length of life for children and young adults with single ventricle heart defects.

Cutting-edge care before birth

CHOP’s Fetal Heart Program provides expert evaluation and diagnosis of congenital heart disease before birth. We are one of few programs to offer early fetal cardiovascular imaging (EFCI), allowing our specialists to diagnosis heart problems as early as the first trimester. In addition to our state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging capabilities, families are supported by a highly skilled team of dedicated fetal nurse coordinators who guide them through every step of the prenatal journey with expertise and compassion.

World-renowned surgical expertise

Children with single ventricle heart defects are cared for by the experts in CHOP’s Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery – a team recognized worldwide for innovation in treating the most complex heart conditions. Experience matters: studies consistently show that higher-volume programs achieve better outcomes. Our division performs more than 1,000 cardiothoracic operations each year, making it one of the largest and most experienced programs in the world, with survival rates and outcomes among the very best.

Compassionate support at a critical time 

CHOP’s Infant Single Ventricle Monitoring Program (ISVMP) provides specialized care for babies born with single ventricle heart defects between two necessary heart repair procedures. This period between the first two operations of staged reconstruction is known as the interstage period. The goal of our program is to prevent life-threatening events during this vulnerable time.

In the ISVMP, families receive comprehensive home monitoring, education for all caregivers, coordinated communication between our Cardiac Center and community providers, and dedicated support to reduce stress and improve quality of life for your baby and your family.

Advanced interventional care through childhood

Many children and teens with single ventricle defects may also require a cardiac catheterization during childhood. At CHOP, these procedures are performed by world-leading interventional cardiologists using the most advanced technology available. In our Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, we perform more than 1,400 cardiac catheterization procedures each year in patients ranging from babies, children, teens and even adults with congenital heart disease. Our team has also developed and refined innovative catheter-based techniques that treat a wide range of congenital heart problems — often avoiding the need for additional open-heart surgery whenever possible.

A first-in-nation model for Fontan care

CHOP’s Fontan Rehabilitation, Wellness, Activity and Resilience Development (FORWARD) Program provides specialized care, proactive evaluation and monitoring and comprehensive support for patients with single ventricle heart defects and Fontan circulation to build resilience and improve the quality and duration of their lives. Patients benefit from multidisciplinary care by experts across CHOP, all familiar with the unique needs of a Fontan circulation, along with exercise physiology, nutrition, social work and mental health consultations, complication management and highly personalized care plans. A first-in-nation program dedicated to multidisciplinary care for patients with Fontan circulation and their families, the FORWARD Program has become a model for Fontan-related care throughout the world. 

Seamless transition to adult care

For patients with single ventricle heart defects, lifelong care is essential. The Philadelphia Adult Congenital Heart Center provides a seamless transition from pediatric to adult-focused care, ensuring continued expertise as patients grow older. This CHOP–Penn Medicine partnership offers specialized services tailored to adults with congenital heart disease, including advanced imaging, genetic counseling, exercise guidance and support for life milestones such as pregnancy, mental health and navigating employment or insurance. The program provides coordinated, research-driven care designed to help single ventricle patients live longer, more fulfilling lives.