Background: This study was performed to clarify the present global clinical status, including medication(s) and social abilities, of adult patients with single ventricular physiology (SVP).
Methods and results: Clinical charts were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the global clinical status, including functional capacity, medication(s), complications, and social activities of 68 adult patients with SVP aged 20-53 years (41 males); 50 had undergone the Fontan operation and they were divided into the young adult (25 patients) and adult Fontan groups. The others were cyanotic patients without the Fontan operation (non-Fontan group). Although the Fontan groups showed better functional capacity, higher arterial oxygen saturation and brain natriuretic peptide levels, and a better renal function, there was no difference in the cardiovascular events during follow-up between the 3 groups. The most frequent complication was arrhythmia without a significant group difference, although the non-Fontan group showed a high percentage of heart failure. Only 41 patients (60%) had a job and 8 (12%) were married.
Conclusions: Although the Fontan groups had favorable pathophysiological conditions, the high rate of cardiovascular events, as well as unsatisfactory social situations, indicate the importance of meticulous life-long management of patients with SVP, regardless of the type of surgical intervention.