Fenestrating the Fontan circuit during total cavopulmonary anastomosis is commonly performed to reduce postoperative mortality and morbidity. The resulting systemic desaturation may progressively increase leading to symptoms. We report the case of a symptomatic eight year old, whose Fontan circuit fenestration was closed using a patent ductus arteriosus occluder. The marked improvement in the patient's clinical status immediately and after 3 months confirms this device to be a safe, and economically better alternative to the atrial septal defect occluder.
LemlerMSScottWALeonardSRStrombergDRamaciottiC. Fenestration improves clinical outcome of the fontan procedure: a prospective, randomized study. Circulation2002; 105: 207–12.
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BradleyTJHumanDGCulhamJADuncanWJPattersonMWLeBlancJG. Clipped tube fenestration after extracardiac Fontan allows for simple transcatheter coil occlusion. Ann Thorac Surg2003; 76: 1923–8.
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AlvaCDavidFOrtegonJSanchezALopezDLedesmaM. Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects and fenestrated Fontan using the Amplatzer septal occluder. Initial prospective study. Arch Cardiol Mex2003; 73: 185–9.
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RuedaFSquitieriCBalleriniL. Closure of the fenestration in the extracardiac Fontan with the Amplatzer duct occluder device. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv2001; 54: 88–92.
