Anesthetic considerations for adults undergoing fontan conversion surgery

Anesthesiol Clin. 2013 Jun;31(2):405-19. doi: 10.1016/j.anclin.2012.12.005. Epub 2013 Mar 16.

Abstract

There are currently in North America more adults with congenital heart disease than children. This article discusses the anesthetic considerations in adults with single-ventricle physiology and prior repairs who present for Fontan conversion surgery as a demonstration of the challenges of caring for adults undergoing interventions for the repair of congenital heart defects. The care of these patients requires an understanding of the impact of passive pulmonary blood flow and single systemic ventricular physiology. The perioperative morbidity in this patient population remains high.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anesthesia / methods*
  • Female
  • Fontan Procedure / adverse effects
  • Fontan Procedure / methods*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / physiopathology
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Circulation
  • Ventricular Function