Contemporary outcomes after the Fontan procedure: a Pediatric Heart Network multicenter study

We characterized a large cohort of children who had a Fontan procedure, with measures of functional health status, ventricular size and function, exercise capacity, heart rhythm, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The characteristics of contemporary Fontan survivors are not well described. We enrolled 546 children (age 6 to 18 years, mean 11.9 years) and compared them within pre-specified anatomic and procedure subgroups. History and outcome measures were obtained within a 3-month period. Predominant ventricular morphology was 49% left ventricular (LV), 34% right ventricular (RV), and 19% mixed. Ejection fraction (EF) was normal for 73% of subjects; diastolic function grade was normal for 28%. Child Health Questionnaire mean summary scores were lower than for control subjects; however, over 80% of subjects were in the normal range. Brain natriuretic peptide concentration ranged from