Effectiveness of carvedilol for congestive heart failure that developed long after modified Fontan operation

Pediatr Cardiol. 2006 Jul-Aug;27(4):473-5. doi: 10.1007/s00246-006-1105-x. Epub 2006 Jul 13.

Abstract

We report a case of a patient with severe heart failure after Fontan procedure in whom carvedilol was very effective. A 27-year-old man had intractable congestive heart failure due to severe ventricular dysfunction after Fontan operation. Central venous pressure was elevated to 29 mmHg. A right-to-left shunt was noted across a large collateral vessel between the innominate vein and the pulmonary vein. He was administered carvedilol (initial dose, 2 mg/day; maximum dose, 30 mg/day). Cardiac catheterization performed 1 year after carvedilol administration revealed a decrease in atrial pressure and improvement of ventricular function. He underwent a conversion operation to total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) and ligation of a collateral vein communicating with the innominate and pulmonary veins. Carvedilol may be a legitimate treatment before TCPC conversion or heart transplantation for the high-risk group of patients with a failed Fontan circulation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Carbazoles / therapeutic use*
  • Carvedilol
  • Embolization, Therapeutic
  • Fontan Procedure / adverse effects*
  • Heart Bypass, Right
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Heart Failure / etiology
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mitral Valve / abnormalities
  • Mitral Valve / surgery
  • Propanolamines / therapeutic use*
  • Pulmonary Valve Stenosis / surgery
  • Reoperation
  • Transposition of Great Vessels / surgery
  • Ventricular Dysfunction / complications
  • Ventricular Dysfunction / therapy

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Carbazoles
  • Propanolamines
  • Carvedilol