Conversion to Total Cavopulmonary Connection Improves Functional Status even in Older Patients with Failing Fontan Circulation

Background Facing longer follow-up of patients after Fontan operation, Fontan conversion was proposed to treat failing Fontan circulation. We reviewed our patients who reached up to 42 years of age. Methods Fifteen consecutive patients underwent Fontan conversion to extracardiac conduit combined with biatrial maze procedure between October 2006 and January 2014. Mean age at conversion was 30.9 ± 5.6 years and mean interval from primary Fontan palliation to conversion was 23.2 ± 3.3 years. Results There was one early death. Ten of 14 survivors were extubated within 24 hours, and 11 were discharged from intensive care unit (ICU) within 7 days. The impaired left ventricular function, presented in four patients prior to surgery, improved from EF 43.8 to 54.8% (p = 0.02). During follow-up time of 3.6 ± 2.3 years after conversion, there was no late death and no reoperation. Two patients developed recurrent atrial arrhythmia. Older age at Fontan procedure, lower left ventricular function, higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and anatomy other than tricuspid atresia emerged as risk factors for longer ICU stay. Conclusion Fontan conversion improved the functional status in almost all patients. A concomitant maze procedure effectively eliminated atrial arrhythmia. This procedure provides a benefit even for older patients if all additional cardiac pathologies are addressed.