Commentary: The case for a comprehensive clinical, basic, and translational research strategy to understand, prevent, detect, and treat cerebrovascular injury in Fontan patients

In this issue of the Journal, the Australian and New-Zealand Fontan Registry Research group compares long-term rates of cerebrovascular injury, thrombosis, bleeding, bone mineral density, and quality of life in Fontan patients receiving warfarin and those receiving aspirin.1 Their take-home messages are (1) asymptomatic cerebrovascular injury is a frequent occurrence in Fontan patients, including stroke (39%), microhemorrhage (96%), and white matter injury (86%); (2) warfarin does not seem to protect against the risk of cerebrovascular injury when compared with aspirin; and (3) warfarin is associated with a greater risk of bleeding and reduced bone mineral density.
Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tags: Commentary Source Type: research