Congenital: Fontan
The impact of pulmonary artery size on midterm outcomes after nonfenestrated Fontan operation
We sought to identify the impact of pulmonary artery size on outcomes after nonfenestrated total cavopulmonary connection. In a subgroup of patients with right-sided bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt, the impact of each branch pulmonary artery size was individually determined.Noninvasive surrogates are poor predictors of liver fibrosis in patients with Fontan circulation
Patients with Fontan circulation exhibit a high incidence of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Transient elastography (TE) and the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test have proven useful as noninvasive surrogate markers of liver fibrosis for other chronic liver diseases. We evaluated whether TE and the ELF score can predict the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with Fontan circulation.Preoperative N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide is associated with Fontan outcomes
The role of preoperative N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level in patient outcomes after the Fontan operation remains unclear.Diastolic inflow is associated with inefficient ventricular flow dynamics in Fontan patients
This study used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate flow characteristics and ventricular hemodynamics for children with single right (hypoplastic left heart syndrome) and single left (hypoplastic right heart syndrome) systemic ventricle anatomy after Fontan palliation compared with normal biventricular controls.Biventricular conversion after Fontan completion: A preliminary experience
To assess the feasibility and outcomes of biventricular conversion following takedown of Fontan circulation.Factors associated with mortality or transplantation versus Fontan completion after cavopulmonary shunt for patients with tricuspid atresia
Tricuspid atresia with normally related great vessels (TA) is considered the optimal substrate for the Fontan pathway. The factors associated with death or transplantation after cavopulmonary shunt (CPS) are underappreciated. We aimed to determine factors associated with CPS–Fontan interstage death/transplantation versus transition to Fontan in TA.Imposition of Fontan physiology: Effects on strain and global measures of ventricular function
We sought to evaluate contractile function in single-ventricle patients before and after imposition of Fontan physiology.Long-term outcomes of warfarin versus aspirin after Fontan surgery
Because of the nature of the Fontan physiology, patients are at an increased risk of thromboembolic complications. As such, warfarin or aspirin is generally prescribed lifelong for thromboprophylaxis. This study aimed to compare long-term rates of cerebrovascular injury, thrombosis, bleeding, bone mineral density, and quality of life in people living with Fontan circulation receiving warfarin compared with aspirin.
