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Fontan conversion with concomitant arrhythmia surgery for the failing atriopulmonary connections: mid-term results
Anuradha Sridhar1, Alessandro Giamberti, Sara Foresti
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology & Adult with Congenital Heart Disease, IRCCS-Policlinico San Donato, Cardiovascular Center 'E. Malan', University of Milan, Italy.
Insights
Fontan conversion surgery can salvage failing Fontan connections and improve outcomes for patients with refractory arrhythmias. However, optimizing the timing of this intervention is crucial for long-term success and better arrhythmia control.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Classical atriopulmonary Fontan connections face long-term failure due to obstruction, atrial enlargement, and arrhythmias.
- Conversion to total cavopulmonary connection with arrhythmia surgery offers a promising solution for failing Fontan circuits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of Fontan conversion with concomitant arrhythmia surgery.
- To determine the impact of pre-operative arrhythmia duration on post-operative survival and arrhythmia control.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 15 symptomatic patients (median age 26.2 years) with refractory arrhythmias underwent Fontan conversion and arrhythmia surgery between 2002 and 2009.
- Pre-operative arrhythmia duration and surgical outcomes were analyzed to assess the effect of delayed intervention.
Main Results:
- Early post-operative mortality was 13.3% (2/15 patients).
- At mid-term follow-up (53 months), 15.3% of survivors experienced arrhythmia recurrence, and one developed sinus node dysfunction.
- The need for anti-arrhythmic drugs significantly decreased from 93.5% to 15.3%. Prolonged pre-operative arrhythmia (over 10 years) correlated with mortality and complications.
Conclusions:
- Fontan conversion is an effective treatment for failing atriopulmonary connections.
- Concomitant arrhythmia surgery improves survival and resolves refractory atrial arrhythmias.
- Optimizing the timing of Fontan conversion is essential for enhancing long-term outcomes.
Objectives:
Classical Atriopulmonary Fontan connections tend to fail in the long term due to progressive anastomotic site obstruction, right atrial enlargement, and refractory atrial arrhythmias. Conversion to total cavopulmonary connection with concomitant arrhythmia surgery is a promising treatment but optimal timing of the procedure remains controversial.
Methods:
Between the years 2002 and 2009, 15 patients with a median age of 26.2 (12-43) years underwent Fontan conversion operation with concomitant arrhythmia surgery. All were symptomatic and 14 out of the 15 patients had refractory arrhythmias. The duration of pre-operative arrhythmia and the outcome of surgery were correlated to study the impact of delay in surgical intervention on post-operative survival and arrhythmia control.
Results:
There were two patients who died in the early post-operative period (13.3%). At the mid-term follow-up, 53 (20-86) months, late atrial arrhythmias had recurred in two of the 13 surviving patients (15.30%) and one patient developed late sinus node dysfunction. The need for anti-arrhythmic drugs decreased considerably from 93.5% to 15.3% on mid-term follow-up. There was no late death or need for cardiac transplantation. The duration of arrhythmia before surgery was prolonged for more than 10 years in patients who died as well as in those who had complications like late recurrence of arrhythmias, dependence on anti-arrhythmic medications, and worsening of ventricular dysfunction.
Conclusions:
Fontan conversion is a well-established treatment option for salvaging the failing atriopulmonary connections. Concomitant arrhythmia surgery effectively resolves the refractory atrial arrhythmias and improves survival, but we need to optimise the timing of Fontan conversion to improve the long-term outcome.
