Postoperative evaluation of the Fontan procedure by radionuclide angiography

Seven patients were evaluated by radionuclide angiography (RNA) following Fontan-like procedures for complex cyanotic congenital defects. Both first-pass and ECG gated equilibrium angiography were performed in each. Residual right-to-left shunts, right atrial (RA) outflow and pulmonary arterial obstruction, and left ventricular dysfunction were demonstrated by these techniques. In addition, RA ejection fraction (RAEF) by gated equilibrium scan was measured in each patient. Relatively low RAEF was seen in conjunction with residual obstruction to pulmonary flow. RNA is useful in the postoperative evaluation of patients after Fontan procedures.