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What have we learnt 50 years after the first Fontan procedure?
Gaetano D Gargiulo1, Pier P Bassareo2, Lucio Careddu1
1Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and GUCH Unit, University of Bologna, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital Bologna, Italy.
Insights
The Fontan procedure offers palliative surgical options for complex congenital heart disease (CHD). Heart transplantation remains the definitive treatment for failing Fontan circulation after 50 years.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- The Fontan procedure is a critical palliative surgery for single-ventricle congenital heart disease (CHD).
- Advancements in imaging and therapeutics have improved management of Fontan-associated complications.
- Despite improvements, Fontan circulation can fail over time.
Abstract:
The Fontan procedure is often the only definitive palliative surgical option for patients with a variety of complex CHD sharing in common, a single, dominant ventricle. In recent decades, imaging and therapeutic improvement have played a crucial role in those patients in whom many complications can hamper their life. After 50 years from the first procedure, heart transplantation remains the only definitive treatment for those with a failing Fontan circulation.
