Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Wireless Telemetry Device Implantation in a Fontan Ovine Model for Continuous and Long-Term Hemodynamic Monitoring
06:29

Wireless Telemetry Device Implantation in a Fontan Ovine Model for Continuous and Long-Term Hemodynamic Monitoring

Published on: May 2, 2025

303

The increasing utilization of ventricular assist devices in fontan failure

Darren Turner1, Amir Mehdizadeh-Shrifi1, Grant Chappell1

  • 1The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH.

JHLT Open
|July 2, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Advances in Fontan circulation care have increased survival into adulthood. However, heart failure remains a challenge, with ventricular assist devices (VADs) showing promise for eligible patients needing advanced heart support.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • The Fontan population is growing due to medical and surgical advancements.
  • Adults with Fontan circulation are at risk of developing heart failure.
  • Managing heart failure in Fontan patients is complex, requiring multidisciplinary care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the physiology of Fontan failure.
  • To establish criteria for ventricular assist device (VAD) workup in Fontan patients.
  • To discuss VAD outcomes and present single-institution experience in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Review of Fontan circulation physiology and failure mechanisms.
  • Development of criteria for VAD candidacy and workup.
  • Analysis of VAD outcomes in adult Fontan patients.
  • Retrospective review of a single institution's VAD experience in Fontan survivors.

Main Results:

  • Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are increasingly used as a bridge to transplantation in Fontan patients with cardiogenic shock.
  • VADs show promising results in improving outcomes for select Fontan patients.
  • Single-institution data demonstrates feasibility and outcomes of VAD support in this complex population.

Conclusions:

  • Heart failure is a significant long-term complication in the growing Fontan population.
  • Ventricular assist devices (VADs) offer a viable therapeutic option for advanced heart failure and cardiogenic shock in Fontan patients.
  • Careful patient selection and multidisciplinary management are crucial for successful VAD implementation in Fontan survivors.

Keywords:
Cardiac transplantationFontanFontan-associated heart failureHeart FailureMechanical Circulatory SupportSingle VentricleVentricular assist devices

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