Management of the failing Fontan: Medical, interventional and surgical treatment

The number and types of patients undergoing Fontan completion for single ventricle palliation have increased significantly since Francis Fontan performed an atriopulmonary connection in 1968 [1]. The original procedure was conceived for a systemic left ventricle in a patient with tricuspid atresia, but the Fontan procedure is now applied for all types of univentricular hearts and is commonly used for palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Patients with single ventricle anatomy and physiology are now experiencing improved survival after the Fontan operation due to modification of the surgical techniques and improved perioperative management and patient selection [2].
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research