[Protein-losing enteropathy following Fontan operation for a complex heart defect]

A 12 year old boy developed protein losing enteropathy 6 months after surgery for a severe cardiac malformation complex by a modified Fontan procedure. Gastrointestinal protein loss was due to sustained venous pressure elevation. Conservative therapy with diet, diuretics and albumininfusions remained ineffective. The patient died from right atrial and pulmonary thrombembolism 10 months after surgery.