Fontan completion rate and outcomes after bidirectional cavo-pulmonary shunt

Abstract

Objective: To determine outcomes of patients undergoing a bidirectional cavo-pulmonary shunt (BCPS) in the Fontan era. Methods: From 1990 to 2000, 212 patients underwent a BCPS in a single institution at a mean age of 2.6 ± 5 years. Results: Hospital mortality was 6% (13 patients). Five patients were lost to follow-up (3%). After a mean of 9 ± 4 years, 15 patients had not yet been referred for Fontan surgery and their status was deemed satisfactory (11 11/2 ventricle repair, three BCPS and one patient converted to a bi-ventricular repair). Out of the remaining 179 patients who could potentially have reached a Fontan status, 141 had undergone the procedure and seven were awaiting Fontan compl..