Congenital: Fontan
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.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.Progression in Fontan conduit stenosis and hemodynamic impact during childhood and adolescence
To characterize changes in Fontan conduit size over time and determine if cross-sectional area (CSA) affects cardiac output, pulmonary artery growth, and exercise capacity.In vivo implantation of 3-dimensional printed customized branched tissue engineered vascular graft in a porcine model
The customized vascular graft offers the potential to simplify the surgical procedure, optimize physiological function, and reduce morbidity and mortality. This experiment evaluated the feasibility of a flow dynamic–optimized branched tissue engineered vascular graft (TEVG) customized based on medical imaging and manufactured by 3-dimensional (3D) printing for a porcine model.Influence of aortic stiffness on ventricular function in patients with Fontan circulation
Elastic properties of the thoracic aorta are responsible for buffering systemic afterload, and may be particularly important in patients with Fontan circulation, in whom heart failure is a major source of attrition. The purpose of this study was to characterize regional stiffness in the ascending and descending aorta in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and single left ventricle morphology after Fontan operation by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and to assess whether changes in aortic stiffness are associated with the ventricular function.
