Revision of previous Fontan connections to total extracardiac cavopulmonary anastomosis: A multicenter experience

Conversion to total extracardiac cavopulmonary anastomosis is an option for managing patients with dysfunction of a prior Fontan connection.

Thirty-one patients (19.9 +/- 8.8 years) underwent revision of a previous Fontan connection to total extracardiac cavopulmonary anastomosis at four institutions. Complications of the previous Fontan connection included atrial tachyarrhythmias (n = 20), progressive heart failure (n = 17), Fontan pathway obstruction (n = 10), effusions (n = 10), pulmonary venous obstruction by an enlarged right atrium (n = 6), protein-losing enteropathy (n = 3), right atrial thrombus (n = 2), subaortic stenosis (n = 1), atrioventricular valve regurgitation (n = 3), and Fontan baffle leak (n = 5). Conversion to an extracardiac cavopulmonary connection was performed with a nonvalved conduit from the inferior vena cava to the right pulmonary artery, with additional procedures as necessary.

There have been 3 deaths. Two patients died in the perioperative period of heart failure and massive effusions. The third patient died suddenly 8 months after the operation. All surviving patients were in New York Heart Association class I (n = 20) or II (n = 7), except for 1 patient who underwent heart transplantation. Early postoperative arrhythmias occurred in 10 patients: 4 required pacemakers, and medical therapy was sufficient in 6. In 15 patients, pre-revision arrhythmias were improved. Effusions resolved in all but 1 of the patients in whom they were present before revision. The condition of 2 patients with protein-losing enteropathy improved within 30 days.

Conversion of a failing Fontan connection to extracardiac cavopulmonary connection can be achieved with low morbidity and mortality. Optimally, revision should be undertaken early in symptomatic patients before irreversible ventricular failure ensues.