Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents with Fontan Circulation

Abstract

Univentricular heart, also known as functionally single ventricle, is a complex group of heterogenous congenital heart defects, comprising multiple pathological subtypes. This may occur either with ventricular hypoplasia, double-inlet atrioventricular connections, or mitral or tricuspid valve atresia. Surgical correction is represented by the Fontan procedure, which is used to bypass the ventricular mass. When unsuccessful, cardiac transplant is an alternative. 1Previous studies have shown that obesity is associated with symptomatic heart failure and mortality in patients with Fontan palliation. 2 The prevalence of overweight and obesity increases with the age of patients undergoing Fontan conversion, with