Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Fontan is the definitive palliative operation for patients with a single ventricle (SV). Specific postoperative complications have been recognized with the increasing survival of these patients. Hepatic dysfunction is a well-known complication and is frequently referred to as Fontan associated liver disease (FALD). Fontan circulation is not regularly assessed in pediatric patients for the development of liver disease. Aim of the work: The aim of this study was to assess hepatic dysfunction in pediatric patients with Fontan circulation. Patients and methods: The study was an observational analytical study conducted on 30 patients who underwent Fontan operation more than two years before inclusion in the study and who are followed up at the Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Cairo University Children{u2019}s Hospital. All patients subjected to echocardiography, laboratory investigations, abdominal ultrasound and liver elastography. Results: The median patient age was 13 years (IQR 10{u2013}16.32), and the median duration of the Fontan operation was 5 years (IQR 3.83{u2013}9). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was lower in 26 (86.7%), and the SV ejection fraction was reduced in 23 (76.7%), however, no correlation was found with time interval since Fontan. Þ glutamyl transferase (GGT) was elevated in 28 (93.33%), which was significantly higher in unfavorable outcome

Issued also as CD