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Ciliberti P, Ciancarella P, Bruno P, Curione D, Bordonaro V, Lisignoli V, Panebianco M, Chinali M, Secinaro A, Galletti L, Guccione P. Cardiac Imaging in Patients After Fontan Palliation: Which Test and When? Front Pediatr 2022; 10:876742. [PMID: 35652057 PMCID: PMC9149285 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.876742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fontan operation represents the final stage of a series of palliative surgical procedures for children born with complex congenital heart disease, where a "usual" biventricular physiology cannot be restored. The palliation results in the direct connection of the systemic venous returns to the pulmonary arterial circulation without an interposed ventricle. In this unique physiology, systemic venous hypertension and intrathoracic pressures changes due to respiratory mechanics play the main role for propelling blood through the pulmonary vasculature. Although the Fontan operation has dramatically improved survival in patients with a single ventricle congenital heart disease, significant morbidity is still a concern. Patients with Fontan physiology are in fact suffering from a multitude of complications mainly due to the increased systemic venous pressure. Consequently, these patients need close clinical and imaging monitoring, where cardiac exams play a key role. In this article, we review the main cardiac imaging modalities available, summarizing their main strengths and limitations in this peculiar setting. The main purpose is to provide a practical approach for all clinicians involved in the care of these patients, even for those less experienced in cardiac imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Ciliberti
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Heart and Lung Transplantation Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Ciancarella
- Advanced Cardiothoracic Imaging Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasqualina Bruno
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Heart and Lung Transplantation Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Curione
- Advanced Cardiothoracic Imaging Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Bordonaro
- Advanced Cardiothoracic Imaging Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Lisignoli
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Heart and Lung Transplantation Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Panebianco
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Heart and Lung Transplantation Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Chinali
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Heart and Lung Transplantation Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Aurelio Secinaro
- Advanced Cardiothoracic Imaging Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Galletti
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Heart and Lung Transplantation Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Guccione
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Heart and Lung Transplantation Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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