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Background-In adult Fontan patients, ventricular or arterial dysfunction may impact homeostasis of the Fontan circulation and
predispose to heart failure. We sought to characterize ventricular-arterial (VA) properties in adult Fontan patients.
Methods and Results-Adult Fontan patients (n=170), including those with right (SRV, n=57) and left (SLV, n=113) dominant
ventricular morphology, were compared to age, sex, and body size matched controls (n=170). Arterial function, load-insensitive
measures of contractility, VA coupling, diastolic function, and ventricular efciency were assessed. Compared to controls, Fontan
patients had similar arterial (Ea), but lower end-systolic ventricular (Ees), elastance, preload recruitable stroke work and peak
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power index, impaired VA coupling, eccentric remodeling, reduced ventricular efciency and increased diastolic stiffness (P<0.05
for all). Ventricular efciency declined steeply with higher heart rate in Fontan, but not control, patients. Among Fontan patients
(n=123) and controls (n=162) with preserved cardiac index (CI; 2.5 L/min per m2), Fontan patients had worse contractility than
controls, but CI was preserved owing to relative tachycardia, lower afterload, and eccentric remodeling. However, 25% of Fontan
patients had reduced CI and were distinguished from those with preserved CI by less-eccentric remodeling and worse diastolic
function, rather than more-impaired contractility.
Conclusions-Adult Fontan patients have contractile and diastolic dysfunction with normal afterload, impaired VA coupling, and
reduced ventricular efciency with heightened sensitivity to heart rate. Maintenance of CI is dependent on lower afterload,
eccentric remodeling, and relative preservation of diastolic function. These data contribute to our understanding of circulatory
physiology in adult Fontan patients. ( J Am Heart Assoc. 2016;5:e003887 doi: 10.1161/JAHA.116.003887)
Key Words: adult Fontan circulation single ventricular heart ventricular arterial coupling ventricular efciency ventricular
function
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
1134 patients who underwent a Fontan procedure at the Total arterial compliance was calculated as SV divided by
Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) between 1973 and 2012, 658 systemic pulse pressure.6 Systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
had a clinical visit as an adult (aged 18 years) when archived index was calculated as mean arterial blood pressure divided
echocardiographic images were potentially available (1985 to by CI.
present). Of these, the operative and echocardiogram diag-
nosis indicated single right ventricle (SRV) in 111, single left Assessment of Ventricular Function and VA
ventricle (SLV) in 385, and indeterminate cardiac morphology
Coupling
or past biventricular candidacy in 162. Among adult SRV
patients, 57 (51%) had an echocardiogram and were included In Fontan and control patients, EF was evaluated by quanti-
in this study. Adult SLV patients with available echocardio- tative and integrated semiquantitative methods. Techniques
grams were randomly assigned (n=113), using 2:1 matching for assessment of EF in the Mayo Echocardiographic Labo-
to SRV patients for sex, age at operation (aged <6 years; ratory evolved during the study period. Given this evolution,
3 year, aged 612 years; 5 year, aged >12 years; 8-year we reanalyzed all Fontan patient images using the single-
intervals), and surgical era (10-year intervals). Echocardio- plane Simpsons method to provide a consistent quantitative
grams from the initial adult clinical visit were analyzed EF assessment in all patients. A constant feature of EF
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(ProSolv software; ProSolv CardioVascular, Indianapolis, IN). assessment over time has been the integration of quantitative
Patients undergoing echocardiography but proven to have measures and their potential limitations attributed to imaging
no cardiovascular diseases, normal electrocardiogram and specics in each patient with the visual estimation of EF
echocardiograms, which were dened by normal left and right provided by an experienced echocardiographer. The clinically
ventricular size, left ventricular (LV) EF 50%, no signicant reported, integrated semiquantitative EF assessment showed
valvular disease, and normal diastolic functional class with no good correlation and agreement with the Simpsons method
two-dimensional (2D) or Doppler evidence of pulmonary (Figure 1A). In Fontan patients, agreement and correlation
hypertension, were considered to be potential controls. No between EF measures was similar irrespective of ventricular
requirement for specic stroke volume (SV) or CI was morphology (Figure 1E and 1F). Similarly, in controls, the
imposed. Potential controls were randomly matched (1:1) to integrated semiquantitative EF assessment was available in all
Fontan patients for sex, age (within 5 years), and body patients and was used in this study. This EF assessment
surface area (within 0.15 m2). showed good correlation and agreement with the most
Because New York Heart Association functional class was commonly reported quantitative method used during the
not described in the medical record of most Fontan patients, study era (2D modied Quinones method; Figure 1C).
clinical status (stable or impaired) was assessed using the End-systolic elastance (Ees), a load-insensitive measure of
available descriptions of clinical stability in the medical ventricular contractility, was calculated by the modied single-
record. Stable clinical status reects description of the patient beat method as previously described.710 The physiological
as doing well with no clinical instability warranting admission concepts underlying the single-beat estimation of Ees are based
or close outpatient follow-up. If the general condition was on the consistency of normalized time-varying elastance, and
stable, but an arrhythmia issue not resulting in clinical this fundamental concept was validated in conditions with
instability was being evaluated or treated, the condition was diverse ventricular geometry and function, including patients
also considered stable. If patients were deemed to require with hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy, ventricular
close outpatient follow-up or hospitalization for a clinical aneurysms,9 and SLV and SRV Fontan patients.10 Extrapolation
issue, the clinical status was considered impaired. Presence of this concept allows the use of noninvasive blood pressures
and clinical severity of protein losing enteropathy and liver for systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and end-systolic (ESP) blood
cirrhosis were assessed. pressures, echo Doppler derived SV, pre-ejection (PEP) and
total systolic periods (SEP) and EF, and a normalized ventricular
elastance at arterial end-diastole (calculated from normalized
Assessment of Vascular Function time-varying elastance curve) to derive Ees and V0 noninva-
Arterial elastance (Ea), a measure of ventricular afterload, was sively as previously described7 and outlined below:
calculated as end-systolic pressure (ESP) divided by SV. SV Ees DBP E(Nd(est)) ESP=E(Nd(est)) SV
was calculated as the velocity-time integral of ventricular
outow tract multiplied by the subaortic cross-sectional area. where E(Nd(est))=0.02750.1659EF+0.36569(DBP/ESP)+
Although Fontan anatomy may limit accuracy of this method 0.5159E(Nd(avg)) and E(Nd(avg))=0.356957.22669(PEP/
for calculation of SV, it has been validated both in the right SEP)+74.2499(PEP/SEP)2307.399(PEP/SEP)3+684.549
and left ventricle for the assessment of Qp/Qs.4 End-systolic (PEP/SEP)4856.929(PEP/SEP)5+571.959(PEP/SEP)6
pressure was estimated by systolic arterial pressure90.9.5 159.19(PEP/SEP)7.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
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Figure 1. Ejection fraction (EF) methods and impact on end-systolic elastance (Ees) in Fontan and control
patients. A, Correlation between Simpsons EF and the clinically reported, integrated semiquantitative (SQ) EF
assessment in Fontan patients. B, Correlation between Ees calculated from Simpsons EF or SQ EF in Fontan
patients. C, Correlation between two-dimensional (2D) modied Quinones (2DMQ) EF and the clinically reported,
integrated semiquantitative EF assessment in control patients. D, Correlation between Ees calculated from 2DMQ or
SQ method in control patients. E and F, Correlation between Simpsons EF and the clinically reported, integrated
semiquantitative EF assessment in Fontan patients with right (SRV) or left (SLV) dominant ventricular morphology.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Table 1. Fontan Anatomic and Surgical Characteristics Table 1. Continued
19952012 13 (23) 15 (13) the multiple variables integrated into the single-beat Ees
Anatomical features, n (%) NA assessment, the effect of EF on Ees is relatively small. In all
Univentricular heart 28 (49) 49 (43) patients in this study, there was a decrease in Ees of 0.015
Complex 26 (46) 16 (14) (SE, 0.005) mm Hg/mL per 1-unit decrease in EF. Further-
Tricuspid atresia 48 (43%) more, Ees calculated with the quantitative (Simpsons) or
the integrated semiquantitative EF assessment showed
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome 3 (5%)
(classical) excellent agreement and correlation (Figure 1B). Ees in
Initial Fontan type, n (%) 0.36 controls calculated with semiquantitative or quantitative
methods also showed good agreement and correlation
Atrial pulmonary connection* 22 (39) 52 (46)
(Figure 1D). VA coupling, the index of appropriateness of
TCPC (lateral tunnel, IAC, ECC) 35 (61) 61 (54)
cardiac contractility in the context of afterload, was
History of palliative surgery, n (%)
expressed as Ees/Ea.79
Pulmonary arterial banding 16 (28) 28 (25) 0.64 Given that the Ees single-beat estimation provides V0,7
Aortopulmonary shunt 27 (47) 70 (62) 0.07 an assumed relaxed ventricular volume corresponding to the
Staged Glenn 20 (35) 51 (45) 0.21 X intercept of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship,
Coarctation repair or aortic 8 (14) 8 (7) 0.14 calculation of ventricular mechanical and energetic efcien-
reconstruction cies is possible. Ventricular mechanical efciency was
Number of open operations 0.15 calculated as external work (EW) divided by pressure
pre-Fontan, n (%) volume area (PVA), where EW=SV9MAP and PVA=EW+1/
0 11 (19) 11 (10) 29Pes9(ESVV0) with MAP (mean arterial pressure) and
1 31 (54) 55 (49) Pes (end-systolic pressure; 0.99SBP) derived from echo and
2 13 (23) 41 (36) brachial blood pressure. Ventricular energetic efciency was
3 or more 2 (4) 6 (5) calculated by the method of Burkoff and Sagawa, which
History of Fontan revision, n (%) 4 (7) 17 (15) 0.15 assumes that myocardial oxygen consumption is propor-
Fenestration at operation, n (%) 7 (12) 16 (14) 0.73 tional to the PVA, whereas the intercept of the PVA-oxygen
cost relationship (ie, oxygen cost at PVA equals zero) is a
Additional fenestration 2 (4) 10 (9) 0.17
post-Fontan, n (%) factor of Ees.13 Accordingly, myocardial oxygen consump-
Aortic regurgitation 0.76 tion can be estimated from Ees and PVA, with ventricular
efciency (%) calculated as stroke work/myocardial oxygen
Mild 55 (96) 110 (97)
consumption. Both EW and myocardial oxygen consumption
>Mild 2 (4) 3 (3)
are expressed in Joules,13 and energetic efciency is
Aortic stenosis 0.99
expressed as percent.
Peak instantaneous gradient 55 (96) 109 (96) Additional load-insensitive measures of ventricular systolic
30 mm Hg
performance, including preload recruitable stroke work
Peak instantaneous gradient 2 (4) 4 (4)
>30 mm Hg
(PRSW) and peak power index (PPI), were calculated. PRSW
is a load-insensitive index of contractile performance derived
Continued invasively as the slope of the linear relationship between
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Table 2. Clinical Characteristics of Adult Fontan Patients PRSW SW=EDV k EDV 1 k
LV wall volume
All Fontan Control
(n=170) (n=170) where SW=MAP9SV, EDV=SV/EF, LV wall volume=LV mass/
Age at echocardiogram, y 268 268 1.05, and k is estimated from the previously dened
Sex, female, n (%) 75 (44) 75 (44) relationship between invasively measured k and LV mass as
Body surface area, m 2
1.750.21 1.790.23 k=(0.00049LV mass)+0.6408.
Interval from Fontan, y 12.47.7 NA The PPI characterizes cardiac performance by total
cardiac hydraulic power output calculated as the product
RAS antagonist, n (%) 60 (35) 0
of maximal ow and maximal developed pressure. Maximal
Beta-blocker, n (%) 25 (15) 0
ow and developed pressure occur early in ejection and are
Current arrhythmia evaluation, n (%) 45 (26) 0 relatively load independent. Noninvasively, PPI is calculated
Rhythm (n=169), n (%) using pulsed wave and 2D echocardiography and blood
Sinus 107 (63) 170 (100) pressures as15:
Paroxysmal AF or SVT 17 (10)
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Persistent AF 8 (5) PPI Peak LVOT flow velocity (cm/s) LVOT areacm2
Junctional rhythm 14 (8) SBP (mm Hg)=EDVcm3
Paced 23 (14)
Global clinical status (n=169), n (%) NA Assessment of Diastolic Function
Stable 130 (77) Diastolic wall strain (DWS) was calculated in Fontan
Impaired 39 (23) patients and controls as an index of ventricular myocardial
Fontan obstruction, n (%) NA passive stiffness, as previously described, and validated
None 164 (97) against invasive assessment.16,17 DWS is based on the
Present (2 mild, 3 >mild) 5 (3)
linear elastic theory, which predicts that in the presence
of similar EF, impaired diastolic wall thinning reects
Protein losing enteropathy, n (%) 15 (9) NA
resistance to deformation in diastole and thus increased
Needing interventions 10 (6)
diastolic myocardial stiffness. DWS was calculated as
Cirrhosis, n (%) 6 (4) NA (PWsPWd)/PWs, where PWs and PWd are ventricular
Needing interventions 2 (1) systolic and posterior wall thicknesses. Doppler diastolic
Dyspnea, n (%) NA indices available throughout the study period were
None 139 (82) reported, when available. As Doppler assessment of
Present (24 mild, 7 more than mild) 31 (18)
diastolic function evolved over the accrual period of this
study, contemporary Doppler indices for estimating relax-
Fatigue n (%) NA
ation (E0 ) and lling pressures (E/E0 ) were available in only
None 129 (76)
7% of SRV and 24% of SLV patients and thus are not
Present 41 (24) reported. Older standard Doppler indices are reective of
Edema n (%) NA the summed effect of LV relaxation and lling pressures,
None 155 (91) but provide some information regarding diastolic function
Present (13 mild, 2 more than mild) 15 (9) and are presented.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Table 3. Arterial and Ventricular Properties in Fontan and Control Patients
2
Ventricular mass index, g/m 9232* 9128* 9234* 6915
Systolic function, VA coupling and efficiency
Ejection fraction, % 509* 488* 5110* 635
2
Stroke volume index, mL/m 4715 4813 4616 457
2
Cardiac index, L/min per m 3.351.01* 3.360.85* 3.341.09 3.160.49
End-systolic elastance (Ees), mm Hg/mL 1.390.67* 1.190.41* 1.480.75* 2.370.63
Ees9mass, mm Hgg/mL 215115* 17464* 229125* 28379
V0, mL 0.135 1.031.9 0.337.2 2.411
VA coupling ratio, Ees/Ea 1.050.35* 0.970.34* 1.090.36* 1.800.34
3
PRSW, ergcm 10 3
7217* 7018* 7217* 9114
Peak power index, mm Hg/s 32094* 307109* 32686* 36977
Mechanical efficiency (EW/PVA) 0.620.08* 0.600.09* 0.630.08* 0.740.04
Energetic efficiency, % 19.82.6* 19.42.8* 20.12.4* 23.41.2
Diastolic function
DWS 0.270.11* 0.230.12* 0.280.11* 0.390.07
E/A ratio (n with data) 1.500.67* (154) 1.460.65* (49) 1.520.68* (105) 1.880.54 (164)
Deceleration time, ms (n with data) 18248 (146) 18552 (47) 18146 (99) 18427 (161)
PV atrial velocity, m/s (n with data) 0.300.14* (90) 0.280.11* (26) 0.310.15* (64) 0.250.09 (151)
PV S/D flow velocity ratio (n with data) 0.840.54* (61) 0.910.66 (20) 0.810.48* (41) 0.980.35 (160)
IVRT, ms (n with data) 6932* (92) 7334* (29) 6631* (63) 5422 (170)
bpm indicates beats per minute; DWS, diastolic wall strain; IVRT, isovolumic relaxation time; PRSW, preload recruitable stroke work; PV, pulmonary vein; S/D, systolic/diastolic; SLV, single
left ventricle; SRV, single right ventricle; SVRI, systemic vascular resistance index; VA coupling, ventricular-arterial coupling; V0, ventricular volume axis intercept of end-systolic pressure
volume relationship.
*P<0.05 versus controls.
P<0.05 SRV versus SLV.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
surgical procedures, fenestration, Fontan revision, or fre- Vascular Function
quency of atrioventricular or aortic valve regurgitation were
As compared to controls, heart rate (HR) was higher and SBP
similar between SLV and SRV (Table 1). No patient had
was lower in Fontan patients (Table 3). As expected, in both
residual coarctation of the aorta.
Fontan and controls, afterload (Ea) increased with HR and
similarly in Fontan patients and controls (Figure 2A). Indices
of vascular properties were similar in the 2 groups (Table 3).
Clinical Characteristics of Adult Fontan Patients As compared to SLV, HR, SBP, and aortic stiffness, SVR and
and Controls Ea were similar in SRV Fontan patients (Table 3).
Clinical characteristics were similar in SRV and SLV (P>0.10
for all), and thus data are shown for the entire Fontan group.
Mean age was 26 years, and patients were over 12 years out Ventricular Geometry
from Fontan procedure (Table 2). Treatment with renin- EDV index, wall thickness, and ventricular mass were greater in
angiotensin system (RAS) antagonists (35%) or beta-blockers Fontan, as compared to control, patients. In Fontan patients,
(15%) was relatively uncommon. Nearly 25% of patients were 39% had greater EDV index than 2 SDs above the mean
undergoing evaluation for supraventricular arrhythmias (>99 mL/m2) for EDV index in controls. Ventricular geometry
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(Table 2). was similar in SLV and SRV Fontan patients (Table 3).
Figure 2. Ventricular and arterial properties in Fontan (FON) patients and controls (CON). The regression
lines and the 95% CIs for the regression are shown. Arterial elastance (Ea) varies similarly with heart rate in
control and Fontan patients (A). The increase of end-systolic elastance (Ees) with Ea in single left ventricle
(SLV) and single right ventricle (SRV) Fontan patients was blunted compared to control (B). Ventricular
efciency decreases more dramatically with heart rate in Fontan (P for slope difference, <0.05 for both)
than control patients (C and D). bpm, beats per minute.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
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Figure 3. Ventricular function in Fontan (FON) patients and controls (CON). Relationship to ejection
fraction. Whereas ventricular arterial coupling (Ees/Ea; A), preload recruitable stroke work (PRSW; B) and
mechanical (C) and energetic (D) efciency all decrease with decreasing EF in Fontan and control patients,
all these indices are lower in Fontan patients versus controls across the overlapping range of EFs. Ea
indicates arterial elastance; Ees, end-systolic elastance.
Ventricular Function, VA Coupling, and efciency were all lower in Fontan patients than
Ventricular Efciency controls after adjusting for EF and lower in Fontan than
control patients across the overlapping (EF, >50%) EF
Compared to controls, EF, Ees, Ees normalized to ventricular
range, demonstrating signicant contractile dysfunction
mass, PRSW, PPI, and mechanical and energetic efciency
even in the presence of preserved EF in Fontan patients
were all lower in Fontan patients whereas V0 was similar
(Figure 3).
(Table 3). VA coupling (Ees/Ea) was more impaired in Fontan
Aortic reconstruction can disrupt the relationship between
patients than controls (Figure 2B and Table 3). Mechanical
central and brachial blood pressure. Relatively few Fontan
and energetic efciency declined more dramatically with HR in
patients (n=16) had a history of aortic reconstruction and
Fontan patients (P for interaction, <0.05 for both) than
none had residual coarctation (Table 1). Excluding Fontan
controls and were lower than controls, even after adjusting for
patients with a history of aortic reconstruction (and their
HR (Figure 2C and 2D). As compared to SLV, most (EF, Ees,
matched controls), our primary ndings (average Ea, Ees, and
Ees normalized to ventricular mass, Ees/Ea, and mechanical
Ees/Ea in Fontan patients vs controls) were essentially
efciency) of ventricular functional indices were signicantly
identical, and thus Ea was still similar in Fontan and controls
lower in SRV.
and Ees and Ees/Ea were still signicantly lower (P<0.05 for
Among Fontan patients, EF was severely (<40%) reduced
both) in Fontan patients than controls.
in 16 (10%), mildly (4049%) reduced in 60 (37%), and
preserved (50%) in 87 (53%). EF is a load-dependent index
of contractility, and thus many load-independent indices of
Diastolic Function
contractile performance may show some correlation with Compared to controls, DWS was lower in Fontan patients,
EF. However, Ees/Ea, PRSW, and mechanical and energetic suggesting increased myocardial diastolic stiffness
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Table 4. Ventricular and Arterial Properties in SLV Fontan
Patients With Tricuspid Atresia (TA) Versus Non-TA
Morphology
n 48 65
Age, y 28.88.5 25.47.1 0.023
Time post-Fontan, years 12.68.8 12.87.5 0.88
2
Body surface area, m 1.730.20 1.780.22 0.25
Stable clinical status, n (%) 33 (69) 53 (83) 0.21
Heart rate, bpm 7313 7517 0.45
Figure 4. Diastolic wall strain (DWS) is lower in
Vascular properties
Fontan (FON) than control (CON) patients even at
similar levels of ejection fraction (EF). The relation- Systolic blood pressure, 10614 11215 0.045
ship between EF and DWS in Fontan and control mm Hg
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patients and the results of multivariable linear Pulse pressure, mm Hg 4012 4512 0.027
regression analysis comparing DWS between
Aortic compliance, 2.081.00 2.040.95 0.82
groups while adjusting for the covariate (EF) are
mm Hg/mL
shown. DWS is lower (greater myocardial stiffness)
in Fontan patients, even adjusting for EF. This gure SVRI, dynescm5m2 2235761 2147980 0.62
demonstrates that over a range of overlapping EF, Effective arterial elastance 1.420.60 1.350.62 0.56
DWS was still lower in Fontan than control patients. (Ea), mm Hg/mL
Ventricular geometry
Ventricular end-diastolic 8732 9941 0.09
(Table 3). Adjusting for EF, DWS remained lower in Fontan volume index, mL/m2
patients (Figure 4). Conventional Doppler indices supported Ventricular mass index, g/m2 9037 9432 0.61
the presence of impaired relaxation (lower E/A and longer Systolic function, VA coupling and efficiency
isovolumic relaxation time) and elevated LV lling pressures
Ejection fraction, % 5210 5010 0.30
(lower S/D ratio of pulmonary venous ow and higher
Stroke volume index, mL/m2 4415 4816 0.19
pulmonary reverse ow velocity during atrial contraction;
Table 3). Cardiac index, L/min per m2 3.21.0 3.51.1 0.14
Compared to SLV, DWS was lower in SRV Fontan patients End-systolic elastance (Ees), 1.580.73 1.410.76 0.24
(Table 3). Adjusting for EF, this difference was not signicant mm Hg/mL
(P=0.11). Doppler parameters were not signicantly different VA coupling ratio, Ees/Ea 1.140.36 1.050.35 0.21
3
between SLV and SRV patients. Whereas blood pressure in PRSW, ergcm 10 3
70.615.9 73.518.1 0.41
non-TA (tricuspid atresia) morphology was higher than those Peak power index, 32090 33183 0.52
with tricuspid atresia, there were no differences in load- mm Hg/mL
insensitive cardiovascular properties among SLV Fontan Energetic efficiency, % 20.42.3 19.82.5 0.22
patients (Table 4). Diastolic function
DWS 0.280.11 0.280.11 0.83
Cardiac Output bpm indicates beats per minute; DWS, diastolic wall strain; PRSW, preload recruitable
stroke work; SLV, single left ventricle; SVRI, systemic vascular resistance index; VA
CI was available in 163 Fontan and all control patients. On coupling, ventricular-arterial coupling.
average, CI was within normal range in both groups, but
higher in Fontan than control patients and similar in SLV and
SRV Fontan patients (Table 3). However, 40 (25%) Fontan index was, in part, attributed to lower SVR and total afterload
patients had a reduced (<2.5 L/min per m2) CI whereas just (Figure 5D and 5E). However, VA coupling was impaired with
8 (5%) control patients had a CI just below the partition lower Ees at any Ea and thus lower EF in Fontan patients
value. (Figure 5F and 5G). Despite lower contractility, eccentric
Among patients with preserved CI (123 Fontan, 162 remodeling with a higher EDV index for any EF in Fontan
control), CI was higher in Fontan than control patients patients (Figure 5H) maintained SV.
(Figure 5A). This was attributed both to higher HR and SV Several differences were observed in Fontan patients with
index in Fontan patients (Figure 5B and 5C). The higher SV preserved versus reduced CI (Figure 6A). The lower CI was not
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
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Figure 5. Ventricular arterial function in Fontan and control patients with normal cardiac index. Cardiac index (A) was
higher in Fontan (n=123) than control patients (n=168). This was attributed both to higher heart rate (B) and stroke volume
index (C) in Fontan patients. The higher stroke volume index was, in part, attributed to lower systemic vascular resistance
(SVR) index (D) and total afterload (E) as assessed by arterial elastance (Ea). However, ventricular-arterial (VA) coupling (F)
was impaired with lower ventricular systolic elastance (Ees) at any Ea and thus lower EF in Fontan patients (G). Despite lower
contractility, eccentric remodeling with a higher end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) for any EF (H) in Fontan patients
maintained stroke volume. Dotted lines indicate lower limit of normal for cardiac index (A) and stroke volume index (C). bpm
indicates beats per minute; CI, cardiac index.
attributed to lower HR, but rather a lower SV index associated patients with reduced versus preserved CI given that Ees
with higher SVR and total afterload (Figure 6B through 6E). was similar at any Ea (Figure 6F) and EF was similar (4810
However, contractility was not different among Fontan vs 519; P=0.07). Rather, Fontan patients with reduced CI
Figure 6. Ventricular arterial properties in Fontan patients with preserved versus reduced cardiac index. As compared to
those with preserved cardiac index, Fontan patients with reduced (<2.5 L/min per m2) cardiac index (A) had similar heart
rate (B), but lower stroke volume index (C), and higher systemic vascular resistance (SVR) index (D) and total afterload (E).
Ventricular systolic elastance (Ees) was similar at any afterload (F) indicating similar ventricular arterial coupling. Fontan
patients with reduced CI had a smaller end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) for any ejection fraction (EF; G) and lower diastolic
wall strain (DWS; H), suggesting greater diastolic myocardial stiffness. P value adjusted for EF. Dotted lines indicate lower
limit of normal for cardiac index (A) and stroke volume index (C). bpm indicates beats per minute; CI, cardiac index; Nl,
normal.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Table 5. Ventricular and Arterial Properties in Fontan Table 6. Reason for Impaired Clinical Status in Fontan
Patients With Stable Clinical Status Versus Age, Sex, and Body Patients
Size Matched Controls
Clinical Condition n
Stable Matched Heart failure 2
Fontan Control P Value
Heart failure+atrial arrhythmia 6
n 130 130
Heart failure+other* 4
Age, y 25.78.0 26.07.8 0.74
Thrombus 3
Body surface area, m2 1.750.22 1.790.24 0.15
Symptomatic atrial arrhythmia alone 14
Time post-Fontan, year 12.37.5 NA NA
Atrial arrhythmia+lung disease (amiodarone) 2
Single right ventricle, n (%) 44 (34) NA NA
Atrial arrhythmia+cirrhosis 2
Protein losing enteropathy/ 8/1 (7%) NA NA
cirrhosis, n (%) Atrial arrhythmia+thrombus 1
Any RAS antagonist, n (%) 51 (39) 0 NA Fontan obstruction/conversion 3
Any beta-blocker, n (%) 17 (13) 0 NA Protein losing enteropathy 3
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Table 7. Ventricular and Arterial Properties in Fontan Table 8. Ventricular and Arterial Properties in Fontan
Patients According to Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) Patients According to Beta-Blocker Therapy
Antagonist Therapy
Any Beta- No Beta-
RAS No RAS Blocker Blocker
Antagonist Antagonist P Value (n=25) (n=145) P Value
Sex, female n (%) 27 (45) 48 (44) 0.86 Age, y 27.99.0 26.07.8 0.27
2
Age, y 25.59.3 26.67.2 0.40 Body surface area, m 1.750.23 1.750.21 0.99
Body surface area, m2 1.750.25 1.740.19 0.75 Time post-Fontan, y 14.67.3 12.07.8 0.12
Time post-Fontan, y 15.45.0 10.88.4 0.0001 Single right ventricle, n (%) 10 (40) 47 (32) 0.46
Single right ventricle, n (%) 24 (40) 33 (30) 0.19 Stable clinical status, n (%) 17 (68) 113 (78) 0.51
Stable clinical status, n (%) 51 (85) 79 (72) 0.28 Heart rate, beat/min 7115 7515 0.25
Vascular properties
mm Hg
Systolic blood pressure, 11014 10915 0.68
mm Hg Pulse pressure, mm Hg 3812 4412 0.021
Pulse pressure, mm Hg 4411 4312 0.47 Aortic compliance, 2.561.13 1.950.85 0.0024
mL/mm Hg
Aortic compliance, 2.130.85 2.000.96 0.39
mL/mm Hg SVRI, dynescm5m2 1794495 2189823 0.022
5 Effective arterial 1.100.35 1.400.56 0.010
SVRI, dynescm m 2
1944620 2237865 0.023
elastance (Ea),
Effective arterial 1.230.41 1.420.60 0.030 mm Hg/mL
elastance (Ea),
mm Hg/mL Ventricular geometry
Systolic function, VA coupling and efficiency Ejection fraction, % 518 5010 0.48
Ejection fraction, % 528 4910 0.037 Stroke volume index, 5113 4615 0.13
mL/m2
Stroke volume index, 5115 4514 0.013
mL/m2 Cardiac index, L/min 3.540.91 3.321.03 0.31
per m2
Cardiac index, L/min 3.601.00 3.200.99 0.016
per m2 End-systolic elastance 1.220.49 1.420.70 0.18
(Ees), mm Hg/mL
End-systolic elastance 1.270.51 1.460.74 0.083
(Ees), mm Hg/mL VA coupling ratio (Ees/Ea) 1.150.39 1.030.34 0.12
3
VA coupling ratio, Ees/Ea 1.040.32 1.050.37 0.88 PRSW, ergcm 10 3
7314 7118 0.67
3 Peak power index, 22782 32894 0.008
PRSW, ergcm 10 3
7616 6917 0.014
mm Hg/s
Peak power index, 31486 32399 0.57
mm Hg/s Energetic efficiency, % 20.72.6 19.72.5 0.061
DWS 0.260.11 0.270.12 0.41 DWS indicates diastolic wall strain; PRSW, preload recruitable stroke work; SVRI,
systemic vascular resistance index; VA coupling, ventricular-arterial coupling.
DWS indicates diastolic wall strain; PRSW, preload recruitable stroke work; SVRI,
systemic vascular resistance index; VA coupling, ventricular-arterial coupling.
than worse systolic performance. These data demonstrate understanding of circulatory physiology in adult Fontan
the spectrum of ventricular vascular function in generally patients and have implications for the study of therapies to
stable adult Fontan patients. Our ndings contribute to our prevent progression to HF in this unique at-risk population.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Adult Fontan Population Systolic Function, VA Coupling, and Ventricular
Adult Fontan patients are increasingly referred for consider- Efciency
ation of HF therapies.1,21 The Alliance for Adult Research in In the normal circulation, arterial and end-systolic ventricular
Congenital Cardiology identied research priorities to elastances are coupled to optimize cardiovascular perfor-
advance the care of adults with CHD.22 Among the top mance and efciency.29 In adult Fontan patients, this normal
priorities for Fontan patients were causes of Fontan failure coupling was perturbed owing to disproportionate impairment
and optimal drug therapies to preserve ventricular function. in systolic function. Impairment in contractile function was
The current study addresses these priorities by examining worse in SRV than SLV. Contractile dysfunction and ventric-
ventricular vascular function and their coupling using ular inefciency were apparent even in Fontan patients with
relatively load-independent indices.11,12 Furthermore, given preserved (>50%) EF.
that one index of a successful Fontan circulation is the A previous study of VA coupling in a small number (n=17)
maintenance of normal resting systemic perfusion, we of clinically stable pediatric Fontan patients suggested that
examined the ventricular and vascular properties in Fontan increased afterload, rather than reduced contractility,
patients with or without normal CI. impaired VA coupling relative to controls.3 The other
coupling studies in Fontan patients used similar methods
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
in non-CHD HF and may hold promise in the Fontan Limitations
population.34
The retrospective nature of this study may introduce bias as
Although most measures of ventricular performance were
patients returning to a tertiary referral surgical center may be
signicantly more impaired in SRV than SLV, these differences
more or less well than those who do not return. The Fontan
were not striking. These ndings underscore the differences
patients spanned several operative eras, but are representa-
in adult versus pediatric Fontan cohorts, where SRV morphol-
tive of adult Fontan survivors in the current era. Limitations of
ogy is associated with worse EF and survival. Relatively
individual echo parameters over time and in Fontan patients
preserved SRV function in adult Fontan patients may repre-
have been discussed in the corresponding methods. Whereas
sent a form of survivorship bias. Notably, ventricular perfor-
our analyses suggest that these limitations do not have a
mance indices were similar in SLV patients with or without
critical impact on our ndings and conclusions, the current
tricuspid atresia.
study should provide a framework for future studies using
alternate imaging modalities to conrm or refute our ndings.
Diastolic Function Repeated invasive analyses in otherwise stable Fontan
patients are difcult to justify and invasive assessment in
DWS is reective of resistance to myocardial deformation
only clinically deteriorating patients may provide misleading
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
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