Anatomic substrates for, and function of, the functionally univentricular circulation before and after surgical procedures

Extract

Whatever the specific anatomy, the Fontan circulation, be it created directly or subsequent to a bi-directional cavopulmonary anastomosis, transforms completely the pattern of circulation of the blood. In essence, it converts a network of circulations in parallel into one in series. The haemodynamic consequences are numerous. The most important and direct among them is, perhaps, the increase in afterload, as well as the reduction in preload, for the systemic ventricle. From the clinical point of view, the most immediate and relevant implication is the amelioration of cyanosis, this being the consequence of removing the common mixing of systemic and pulmonary venous blood within the heart.