Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

Antiplatelet versus anticoagulation therapy after extracardiac conduit Fontan: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Chiara Marrone1, Gennaro Galasso, Raffaele Piccolo

  • 1Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Hospital, Via M. Fiore 6, Naples, Italy. chiaramarrone@hotmail.com

Pediatric Cardiology
|October 23, 2010
PubMed

Insights

For patients undergoing extracardiac conduit Fontan procedures, antiplatelet therapy shows similar thromboembolic and bleeding event rates compared to anticoagulation therapy. This finding addresses the ongoing debate regarding prophylactic treatment benefits in this patient group.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Surgery

Background:

  • The optimal prophylactic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy for patients undergoing extracardiac conduit (ECC) Fontan procedures remains debated.
  • Evidence comparing the efficacy and safety of these prophylactic strategies is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of thromboembolism in patients undergoing ECC Fontan procedures.
  • To compare the effectiveness of anticoagulation versus antiplatelet therapy in preventing thromboembolic events.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis of MEDLINE studies published up to February 2010.
  • Inclusion of 20 studies involving 1,075 patients, categorized by antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy.
  • Extraction of data on drug type, clinical outcomes, thromboembolic events, and bleeding events.

Main Results:

  • The overall thromboembolism rate in ECC Fontan patients was 5.2%.
  • Anticoagulation therapy did not significantly reduce the incidence of overall thromboembolic complications compared to antiplatelet therapy (5% vs. 4.5%).
  • Bleeding events were rare, with only two observed in patients on anticoagulant therapy at the time of the event.

Conclusions:

  • For patients undergoing ECC Fontan procedures, antiplatelet therapy demonstrates a similar rate of thromboembolic and bleeding events compared to anticoagulation therapy.
  • The findings suggest that antiplatelet therapy may be a viable alternative to anticoagulation for thromboembolic prophylaxis in this population.

More Related Videos

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors01:20

Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors

Antiplatelet drugs emerge as frontline defenders against the insidious threat of thromboembolic diseases, where abnormal clots obstruct vital blood vessels. These drugs stand as bulwarks, inhibiting platelet aggregation and clot formation, thereby mitigating the risk of life-threatening conditions like myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and thrombotic strokes.
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
Angina IV: Management01:26

Angina IV: Management

IntroductionThe management of angina requires a comprehensive approach that includes pharmacological therapies, medical procedures, and lifestyle modifications.Pharmacological TherapiesAntiplatelet agents, such as aspirin, clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor, play a pivotal role in preventing thrombus formation in patients with angina. These medications inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce the likelihood of myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular events.Anticoagulants, including...
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care01:27

Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...