Transitioning from the safety of the womb to the outside world for neonates with life-threatening cardiovascular conditions: The IMmediate Postpartum Access to Cardiac Therapy (IMPACT) Procedure

TL;DR

The IMPACT procedure is a coordinated medical approach to safely deliver and treat critically ill newborns with heart conditions immediately after birth.

Contribution

The IMPACT procedure introduces a novel, multidisciplinary model for managing high-risk neonates with cardiovascular issues at delivery.

Findings

The IMPACT procedure involves planned delivery and immediate neonatal cardiac care in a coordinated setting.

This approach allows rapid evaluation and life-saving interventions for critically ill newborns.

The procedure emphasizes prenatal consultation and collaboration among multiple medical teams.

Abstract

The IMmediate Postpartum Access to Cardiac Therapy (IMPACT) procedure is a multidisciplinary, collaborative, highly coordinated clinical service in which a planned delivery and intensive neonatal care are offered for conditions where there is a high likelihood of postnatal instability. This process includes prenatal consultation with the parent(s), involving each service engaged with the delivery, postnatal resuscitation, and procedural care. A Cesarean section delivery is planned in an operating room with immediate access to a multifunctional procedural suite where the neonate can undergo rapid cardiac evaluation and initiation of interventional treatments which can have a positive, life-saving impact. This review describes the details of this unique procedure and multidisciplinary program at one institution.

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