Fontan circulation
Pronunciation: fon-TAHN
Single-ventricle physiology following surgical palliation where systemic venous return flows passively to the pulmonary arteries without a pumping chamber.
Full Definition
A unique circulatory arrangement created through staged surgical procedures for children born with single-ventricle congenital heart defects. In Fontan circulation, systemic venous blood flows directly to the pulmonary arteries without passing through a ventricle, relying on passive flow and elevated central venous pressure. This physiology requires careful fluid management and monitoring in critical care settings, as patients are particularly sensitive to changes in preload, afterload, and pulmonary vascular resistance.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize when referring to the specific surgical procedure, but use lowercase when describing the physiological state.
In Context
- "The patient's Fontan circulation made fluid resuscitation particularly challenging due to elevated baseline central venous pressures." — Critical care progress note
- "Post-operative monitoring focused on maintaining optimal preload given the patient's Fontan circulation." — Surgical recovery documentation