Frontiers in Fontan failure: Innovation and improving outcomes: A conference summary

Georges Ephrem, Camden Hebson, Anitha John, Estella Moore, Maan Jokhadar, Ryan Ford, Gruschen Veldtman, Yoav Dori, Michelle Gurvitz, Brian Kogon, Adrienne Kovacs, Meghan Roswick, Michael McConnell, Wendy M. Book, Fred Rodriguez

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

The initial “Frontiers in Fontan Failure” conference in 2015 in Atlanta, GA, provided an opportunity for experts in the field of pediatric cardiology and adult congenital heart disease to focus on the etiology, physiology, and potential interventions for patients with “Failing Fontan” physiology. Four types of “Fontan Failure” were described and then published by Dr Book et al. The acknowledgment that even Dr Fontan himself realized that the Fontan procedure “imposed a gradually declining functional capacity and premature late death after an initial period of often excellent palliation.” The purpose of the second “Frontiers in Fontan Failure” was to further the discussion regarding new data and technologies as well as novel interventions. The 2017 “Frontiers in Fontan Failure: Innovation and Improving Outcomes” was sponsored by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Sibley Heart Center Cardiology, and Emory University School of Medicine. Future directions in the management of Fontan failure include further investigations into the risk of sudden cardiac death and how to properly prevent it, achievable interventions in modifying the Fontan physiology to treat or prevent late complications, and improved and refined algorithms in Fontan surveillance. Finally, further research into the interventional treatment of lymphatic-related complications hold the promise of marked improvement in the quality of life of advanced Fontan failure patients and as such should be encouraged and contributed to.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)128-137
Number of pages10
JournalCongenital Heart Disease
Volume14
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2019

Keywords

  • Fontan
  • failure
  • innovation
  • outcomes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Surgery
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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