Key result
Extracardiac Fontan operation is linked to arrhythmias in ~50% of patients alongside sinus node dysfunction.
Why the study?
Late morbidity and mortality after the Fontan operation are largely due to atrial arrhythmias, ventricular failure, and thrombus formation, and the extracardiac Fontan procedure may reduce these complications by avoiding extensive atrial manipulation.
Population
16 patients who underwent extracardiac Fontan operation between July 1993 and May 1996
Comparison
Extracardiac Fontan operation with theoretical reduction in arrhythmias and thromboembolism vs previous Fontan modifications
Design
Retrospective cohort study
Follow-up
3 to 34 months
Authors
Loading...
May support extracardiac Fontan to limit arrhythmias; leaves open prospective confirmation of thromboembolism benefit.
Cohort (n=16)
The extracardiac Fontan operation is associated with a reduced incidence of hemodynamically significant tachyarrhythmias, though sinus node dysfunction and thrombotic events still occur, supporting the consideration of indefinite anticoagulation.
Shirai et al. (1998) conducted a cohort in Extracardiac Fontan operation (n=16). Extracardiac Fontan operation was evaluated on Arrhythmias on surface electrocardiograms. The extracardiac Fontan operation was associated with arrhythmias in 50% of patients, sinus node dysfunction in 44%, and thrombi in 19% over 3 to 34 months of follow-up.
Synapse has enriched 2 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: