Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
06:29
Wireless Telemetry Device Implantation in a Fontan Ovine Model for Continuous and Long-Term Hemodynamic Monitoring
Published on: May 2, 2025
Arrhythmia and exercise intolerance in Fontan patients: current status and future burden
1Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
International Journal of Cardiology
|January 22, 2013
Summary
Long-term Fontan procedure survivors face increasing risks of arrhythmias and exercise intolerance with age. Future projections indicate a growing burden of these conditions in the aging Fontan population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Long-term survival after the Fontan procedure is excellent but associated with risks of arrhythmias and exercise intolerance.
- Understanding the current and future burden of these complications is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the current burden of clinically relevant arrhythmia and severe exercise intolerance in Danish Fontan patients.
- To estimate the future burden of these conditions based on survival data and age-related trends.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 235 Danish citizens who underwent Fontan completion between 1981 and 2009.
- Utilized exercise tests, Holter monitoring, echocardiography, pulmonary function tests, and medical record review for surviving patients.
- Employed survival data and logistic regression models to estimate future prevalence.
Main Results:
- 11% of patients died or underwent heart transplantation (HTx) post-Fontan.
- Clinically relevant arrhythmia and severe exercise intolerance increased significantly with age, affecting 32% and 85% of patients ≥ 20 years, respectively.
- Cardiac index and pulmonary diffusing capacity decreased with age, while ventricular function remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Clinically relevant arrhythmia and severe exercise intolerance significantly increase with age in Danish Fontan patients.
- The future burden of the Fontan population is projected to rise due to an increasing prevalence of older patients with these complications.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Aortic Regurgitation III: Medical Management
Aortic regurgitation (AR) is when the aortic valve does not close or seal properly, leading to backward blood circulation from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole. Common causes of AR include rheumatic heart disease, congenital valve defects, and aortic root dilation. Managing AR requires a multifaceted approach to alleviate symptoms, preserve left ventricular function, and address the underlying cause of the regurgitation. Patients with symptomatic AR or significant left...
01:26Imbalances in Cardiac Output
The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
01:25Dysrhythmias VII: Nursing Management of Dysrhythmias
Nursing management of dysrhythmias involves the following:AssessmentSubjective Assessment:The initial step involves gathering patient-reported symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, and chest discomfort. It is crucial to collect a detailed history, including previous heart conditions, current medication use, and lifestyle factors like caffeine and alcohol consumption.Objective Assessment:This involves observing clinical signs such as jugular venous distention, cool and pale skin, and...
01:20Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Mitral regurgitation is characterized by the backward circulation of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium during systole, a phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood out of the chambers. This abnormal flow occurs primarily due to the dysfunction of the mitral valve or its supporting structures, which include the mitral leaflets, chordae tendineae, annulus, and papillary muscles.Etiology and Mechanisms:Primary Mitral Regurgitation: This type arises from...