Impact of Postoperative Hemodynamics in Patients With Functional Single Ventricle Undergoing Fontan Completion Before Weighing 10 Kg

Background. Although the Fontan procedure is now being performed in younger patients, the influence of the early timing of Fontan on midterm to long-term results remains unclear. We investigated whether the timing of Fontan completion affects subsequent hemodynamics in patients with functional single ventricle followed for more than 3 years. Methods. Between January 1997 and December 2008, 163 patients with functional single ventricle underwent extra-cardiac total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) at a single institution. The survivors routinely underwent postoperative catheterization at 1 year and then every 5 years after TCPC and were divided into group A (weight < 10 kg; n = 65) and group B (weight > 10 kg; n = 97), and retrospectively reviewed. Results. Mean follow-up was 6.6 +/- 3.7 years. Mean weight and conduit size were 8.5 +/- 0.8 kg and 17.1 +/- 1.2 mm for group A versus 20.2 +/- 13.1 kg and 18.8 +/- 1.9 mm for group B, respectively (p < 0.001). There were 3 hospital deaths (group A, n = 1; group B, n = 2) and 5 late deaths (group A, n = 3; group B, n = 2). No TCPC was taken down. There were no thromboembolic events in either group. The end-diastolic volume of ventricle (eDV) (% of normal) was (232.7 +/- 91.4 before TCPC versus 139.3 +/- 57.2 5 years after TCPC; p < 0.001) in group A and (209.6 +/- 77.7 before TCPC versus 136.7 +/- 61.4 5 years after TCPC; p < 0.001) in group B. Ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac index at 5 years were similar in both groups. The end-diastolic pressure of ventricle (eDP) (mm Hg) at 1 year (p = 0.0037) and at 5 years (p = 0.047) was significantly lower in group A compared with group B. Conclusions. TCPC can be performed earlier with good intermediate results. Earlier unloading of a univentricular heart by means of TCPC might be advantageous for preservation of future ventricular function. (Ann Thorac Surg 2012;94:1570-7) (C) 2012 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons