Relation of Fontan Baffle Stroke Volume to Fontan Failure and Lower Exercise Capacity in Patients With an Atriopulmonary Fontan

Fontan failure remains a significant problem, especially in patients with an atriopulmonary Fontan. Fontan baffle volume change during the cardiac cycle (Fontan baffle stroke volume) may affect outcomes in Fontan circulation. Assuming that increased Fontan baffle stroke volume is associated with increased energy loss in the baffle, we hypothesized that higher baffle stroke volume is associated with worse exercise capacity and increased incidence of Fontan failure. Patients from 6 centers with an atriopulmonary or lateral tunnel Fontan operation were included if they had a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) study and an adequate cardiopulmonary exercise test.

Source: The American Journal of Cardiology - April 8, 2019 Category: Cardiology Authors: Tarek Alsaied, Jelle P.G. van der Ven, Saeed Juggan, Lynn A. Sleeper, Nina Azcue, Lucia J Kroft, Andrew J. Powell, Willem A. Helbing, Rahul H. Rathod Source Type: research