Fontan circulation
Pronunciation: fon-TAN
A staged surgical palliation for single ventricle congenital heart defects that redirects venous return directly to the pulmonary arteries.
Full Definition
The Fontan circulation is a complex staged surgical approach used to treat patients born with functional single ventricle physiology, such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome or tricuspid atresia. The procedure eliminates the subpulmonary ventricle by connecting the systemic venous return directly to the pulmonary arteries, creating a passive flow system. This results in separation of systemic and pulmonary circulations with the single ventricle supporting only systemic circulation. The staged approach typically includes initial palliation, bidirectional Glenn shunt, and finally Fontan completion. Long-term complications include protein-losing enteropathy, arrhythmias, and thromboembolic events.
Usage
Usage note: Named after François Fontan; capitalize when referring to the specific circulation type.
In Context
- "The patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome underwent successful Fontan completion at age 3." — Surgical consultation note