The Single Ventricle Program is for children who are born with only one pumping chamber (single ventricle) in their heart, instead of the usual two.
A broad range of congenital cardiac conditions are associated with having a single ventricle, including
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Tricuspid atresia
- Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum
- Double-inlet left ventricle
- Unbalanced atrioventricular septal defect
- Severe Ebstein’s anomaly
- Heterotaxy
Children born with single ventricle congenital heart defects have a series of operations during childhood, including Norwood, Glenn and Fontan operations. Specific complications that need to be monitored include ventricular dysfunction, atrioventricular valve regurgitation, arrhythmia, cyanosis, thrombosis, protein-losing enteropathy and plastic bronchitis. Liver fibrosis and renal dysfunction are common and may progress over time, and cognitive, neuropsychological and behavioral deficits are also highly prevalent.
Our program seeks to improve survival and quality of life for children and young adults with single ventricle physiology. We seek to educate parents regarding the care of their child and provide resources.
This program provides comprehensive and interdisciplinary care, screening, evaluation and coordinated care, and referrals for the following areas:
- Cardiology (including a cardiologist and cardiology nurse practitioner)
- Heart failure
- Electrophysiology
- Transitional care
- Pulmonology (lungs)
- Gastroenterology/Hepatology (liver)
- Nephrology (kidney)
- Endocrinology (bones)
- Neurodevelopmental evaluation and screening
- Nutrition Services
- Social work and financial counseling
Team
Cardiology
Jose Alfonso Silva Sepulveda, M.D., Director, Single Ventricle Program and Transitional Program, Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UC San Diego
Howaida El-Said, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory; Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UC San Diego
Shylah Haldeman, M.S.N., N.P.-C, CCTC
Jessica Haley, M.D., Director, Home Monitoring Program; Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UC San Diego
Gabrielle Vaughn, M.D., Heart Failure/Heart Transplant,; Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UC San Diego
Matthew Williams, M.D., Director, Cardiac Pacing; Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, UC San Diego
Cardiothoracic Surgery
John J. Nigro, M.D., Division Chief; Director, Heart Institute; Director, Cardiac Transplantation and Ventricular Assist Device Program
John Artrip, M.D., FRACS, Assistant Professor of Surgery, UC San Diego
Endocrinology
Michael Gottschalk, M.D., Ph.D., Division Chief; Associate Director, Pediatric Diabetes Research Center; Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UC San Diego
Gastroenterology
Kathleen Schwarz, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Physician Diplomate, UC San Diego
Gynecology
Akilah Weber, M.D., Associate Physician, UC San Diego
Nephrology
Pulmonology
Aparna Rao, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UC San Diego
Other team members include a neurodevelopmental practitioner, social workers and registered dietitian.
Resources
National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPC-QIC): Patient and Family Resources
https://npcqic.org/resources-parents-and-families
Locations
Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego (Map it)
Rose Pavilion, 1st Floor South
3020 Children’s Way
San Diego, CA 92120
Phone: 858-966-5855
Fax: 858-966-7903
Contact Us
For more information about the program and other cardiology services, contact the Cardiology division at 858-966-5855.