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Published on: May 2, 2025
Failing Fontan
Om Prakash Yadava1, Richard A Jonas2
1National Heart Institute, New Delhi, India.
Insights
This discussion explores the critical issue of Failing Fontan, a complex heart condition. Experts share insights on managing this challenging pediatric cardiac surgery complication.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- The Fontan procedure is a palliative surgery for single-ventricle congenital heart defects.
- Failing Fontan is a progressive complication following the Fontan procedure, leading to significant morbidity and mortality.
- Long-term management and understanding of Failing Fontan are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the current understanding and management strategies for Failing Fontan.
- To share expert perspectives on the diagnosis and treatment of Fontan-associated liver disease and heart failure.
- To highlight the importance of multidisciplinary care for patients with Failing Fontan.
Main Methods:
- Expert conversation and knowledge exchange between leading pediatric cardiac surgeons.
- Review of clinical experiences and published literature on Failing Fontan.
- Discussion of diagnostic criteria and therapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- Failing Fontan presents with a spectrum of clinical manifestations, including liver dysfunction, protein-losing enteropathy, and cardiac decompensation.
- Early recognition and intervention are key to managing Failing Fontan.
- Multidisciplinary management involving cardiology, cardiac surgery, hepatology, and gastroenterology is essential.
Conclusions:
- Failing Fontan remains a significant challenge in the long-term care of patients with single-ventricle physiology.
- Advances in surgical techniques and medical management offer improved, though not curative, solutions.
- Continued research and collaboration are vital to enhance the quality of life and survival for these complex patients.
Abstract:
Dr. O.P. Yadava, CEO & Chief Cardiac Surgeon, National Heart Institute, New Delhi, India, and Editor-in-Chief, Indian Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, in conversation with Prof. Richard Jonas, Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon from Washington DC, USA, on Failing Fontan.
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