The purpose of this study was to assess ventricular mass, volume, and systolic function in patients late after Fontan operation by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Twenty-four unselected patients at a median age of 19.4 years , at a median time of 10.5 years after Fontan operation were studied. Ten healthy volunteers at a median age of 26.4 years served as the control group. Median end-systolic mass index was 74.7 ± 23.7 g/m² and 86.6 ± 18.0 g/m² in the control group (p=NS). Median end-diastolic volume was 63.2 ± 18.7 ml/m² compared with 67.4 ± 4.7 ml/m² in the control group (p=NS). Median ejection fraction was 47.5 ± 11% compared with 62.7 ± 8.2% in normals (p= 0.00001). We conclude that long-term survivors of a Fontan operation have normal ventricular mass, normal volume, but reduced systolic ventricular function.    «

The purpose of this study was to assess ventricular mass, volume, and systolic function in patients late after Fontan operation by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Twenty-four unselected patients at a median age of 19.4 years , at a median time of 10.5 years after Fontan operation were studied. Ten healthy volunteers at a median age of 26.4 years served as the control group. Median end-systolic mass index was 74.7 ± 23.7 g/m² and 86.6 ± 18.0 g/m² in the control group (p=NS). Median end-diasto...    »