Early outcomes after extracardiac conduit Fontan operation without cardiopulmonary bypass

Amy N McCammond1, Kevin Kuo, Victoria N Parikh

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health & Science University, 707 SW Gaines Road, CDRC-P, Portland, OR 97239, USA. mccammoa@ohsu.edu

Pediatric Cardiology
|February 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass during the Fontan procedure for congenital heart defects did not significantly improve early postoperative outcomes. While it influenced intraoperative hemodynamics and fenestration rates, it did not impact recovery metrics in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
  • Congenital Heart Defects
  • Surgical Palliation

Background:

  • Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is linked to systemic inflammatory responses.
  • The Fontan operation is the final surgical palliation for univentricular congenital heart defects.
  • Hypothesis: Avoiding CPB may improve outcomes in extracardiac Fontan procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass on early postoperative outcomes in extracardiac Fontan operations.
  • To compare intraoperative and postoperative parameters between patients who underwent CPB and those who did not.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 73 patients undergoing initial Fontan operations (Nov 2001-Nov 2006).
  • Patients divided into two groups: CPB (n=26) and off-CPB (n=47).
  • Analysis of preoperative demographics, hemodynamics, and early postoperative outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Off-CPB group had comparable demographics but greater average weight.
  • Off-CPB group showed a trend towards lower Fontan fenestration rates (4.3% vs 19.2%).
  • Off-CPB group had significantly lower intraoperative pressures and blood product requirements (P ≤ 0.01).
  • No significant differences in early postoperative outcomes including ICU/hospital stay or ventilation duration were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass in extracardiac Fontan operations influences intraoperative hemodynamics and fenestration rates.
  • The study did not find a significant impact on early postoperative outcomes for children undergoing the Fontan procedure without CPB.