Use of a Bifurcated ePTFE Graft for Off-Pump Extracardiac Fontan Completion

Introduction

Total cavopulmonary anastomosis using an extracardiac conduit has gained increasing acceptance in surgery for the palliation of a functional univentricular heart. It has been recently suggested that the extracardiac Fontan procedure (ECF) can be performed without cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) [[1], [2]]. Off-pump ECF has been reported to result in better hemodynamic parameters in the early postoperative period and to require shorter intubation periods. However, the patient selection criteria for off-pump ECF are still not well defined in spite of a growing body of experience.

References

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