The Fontan patient: inconsistencies in medication therapy across seven pediatric heart network centers

Pediatr Cardiol. 2010 Nov;31(8):1219-28. doi: 10.1007/s00246-010-9807-5. Epub 2010 Oct 12.

Abstract

Patients who have undergone the Fontan procedure are at risk for thrombosis, ventricular dysfunction, and valve regurgitation, but data to guide the medical treatment and prevention of these adverse outcomes in this population are lacking. This analysis examined medication usage among Fontan patients by putative indication and by study center. The medical history and current medications of 546 Fontan subjects, ages 6-18 years, were assessed in a Pediatric Heart Network multicenter cross-sectional study. Cardiac imaging was performed within 3 months of enrollment. The majority of the subjects (64%) were taking two or more medications. Antithrombotics were taken by 86% of those with a history of stroke, thrombosis, or both and 67% of those without such a history (P = 0.01). Conversely, 14% of those with a history of stroke, thrombosis, or both were taking no antithrombotic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) therapy was independently associated with moderate or severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation (P = 0.004), right ventricular morphology (P < 0.001), and shorter time since Fontan (P = 0.004) but not with ventricular systolic dysfunction. Glycoside therapy and diuretic therapy each was associated with older age at Fontan (P = 0.001 and P = 0.023, respectively) and a history of post-Fontan arrhythmia (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively) but not with ventricular systolic dysfunction. Medication use rates varied widely among the centers, even with controls for center differences in patient characteristics. Prospective therapeutic trials are needed to guide the medical treatment of Fontan patients.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / adverse effects
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / administration & dosage
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / adverse effects
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Diuretics / administration & dosage
  • Diuretics / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Fontan Procedure*
  • Glycosides / administration & dosage
  • Glycosides / adverse effects
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / drug therapy*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology*
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / adverse effects
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / methods
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Diuretics
  • Glycosides