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.

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.