Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Wireless Telemetry Device Implantation in a Fontan Ovine Model for Continuous and Long-Term Hemodynamic Monitoring
Published on: May 2, 2025
Diastolic asynchrony and myocardial dysfunction in patients with univentricular heart after Fontan operation
Wei Hui1,2, Mohamed Y Abd El Rahman1,3,4, Rita Schuck1,3
1Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Background:
We aimed to assess the existence of myocardial dysfunction and intra-univentricular diastolic asynchrony in patients after Fontan operation.
Methods:
Twenty patients after Fontan procedure and 30 age-matched controls were included in the study. The global function of the univentricular heart was analyzed by the Tei index. Regional myocardial velocities and strain of the univentricular heart including the rudimentary right ventricle (RV) were quantified by tissue Doppler imaging. Intra-univentricular or intra left ventricular (LV) diastolic delay was measured from the difference of diastolic intervals (time to peak early diastolic velocity), measured at LV lateral wall and the rudimental RV wall in patients, or LV lateral wall and the ventricular septum in controls.
Results:
Compared to the control group, patients after Fontan operation had significantly elevated Tei index (0.24 ± 0.02 vs. 0.41 ± 0.1, p < 0.001). On the other hand, the regional myocardial velocities and strains of the univentricular heart including the rudimentary RV were significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Among patients, there was a significant correlation between the Tei index of the univentricular ventricle and rudimentary RV strain (r = -0.66, p = 0.01). The heart rate-corrected intra-univentricular diastolic delay was significantly prolonged among patients when compared to the intra-LV diastolic delay in controls (0.01 ± 0.9 vs. 1 ± 1.1, p = 0.005).
Conclusions:
Myocardial dysfunctions and intra-univentricular diastolic asynchrony of the univentricular heart in patients after Fontan procedure are evident. The rudimentary RV in patients after Fontan procedure plays an important role in the determination of the global function of the univentricular heart.
More Related Videos
04:48Noninvasive Determination of Vortex Formation Time Using Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Surgery
Published on: November 28, 2018
12:45Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing
Published on: December 11, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
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...
Mitral Stenosis IV: Nursing Management