The Effect of Dominant Ventricular Morphology on Outcomes of Single Ventricular Abnormalities: A Retrospective Analysis of Right Ventricle Versus Left Ventricle

Abstract

Objectives: Within this study, we aimed to evaluate our single institute experience in patients to whom the Fontan procedure was performed; furthermore, to assess the effects of ventricle dominancy on peri-operative and postoperative findings, comorbidities, and survival. Materials and Methods: Patient data were obtained from cardiac surgery database, anesthesia records, and hospital medical records. Patients were divided into two groups according to the ventricle dominancy following transthoracic echocardiography or cardiac catheterization findings. The first group had left ventricle (LV) with or without rudimentary right ventricle (RV) while the second group had rudimentary LV with or without RV. Results: Chylothorax was observed in four patients in the RV group and in two patients in the LV group as well. However, this difference was not significant (p=0.296). On the other hand, when two groups were compared in terms of the length of pleural effusion, the RV group demonstrated statistically higher duration (p=0.028). Conclusion: We did not observe any statistically significant adverse effect in patients undergoing the Fontan procedure according to ventricle dominancy except for prolonged pleural effusion. As a consequence, we state that ventricle dominancy does not affect early postoperative outcomes.