Fontan

Fontan procedure is a type of cardiac surgery used to treat patients with congenital heart defects. It was first described by Francis Fontan and Eugenio Baudet in 1971. The procedure is typically performed on children with a single functional ventricle (one of the two lower chambers of the heart).

Indications

The Fontan procedure is indicated for patients with a variety of congenital heart defects that result in a functional single ventricle. These conditions include tricuspid atresia, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and double inlet left ventricle.

Procedure

The Fontan procedure involves redirecting the venous blood from the inferior vena cava and superior vena cava directly to the pulmonary arteries, bypassing the right ventricle. This allows the single functional ventricle to pump oxygenated blood to the body, while the venous blood flows passively to the lungs.

Complications

Complications of the Fontan procedure can include protein-losing enteropathy, plastic bronchitis, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Long-term survival and quality of life after the Fontan procedure can vary widely.

See also

• Congenital heart defect
• Cardiac surgery
• Francis Fontan
• Eugenio Baudet

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