Open Access

REVIEW

Surveillance for liver complications after the Fontan procedure

Moira B. Hilscher¹, Jonathan N. Johnson^2,3, Frank Cetta^2,3, David J. Driscoll^2,3, John J. Poterucha¹, William Sanchez¹, Heidi M. Connolly³, Patrick S. Kamath¹

1 Department of Medicine/Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
2 Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine/Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
3 Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

* Corresponding Author: Jonathan N. Johnson, Mayo Clinic, Gonda 6-138, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Email:

Congenital Heart Disease 2017, 12(2), 124-132. https://doi.org/10.1111/chd.12446

Abstract

The physiological consequences of the Fontan circulation impose risk for hepatic dysfunction and may culminate in hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Consensus regarding appropriate surveillance modalities to diagnose liver disease in Fontan patients is lacking, in part due to the relative lack of strong evidence and prospective studies in this patient population. The goal of this paper is to critically review the current evidence and provide recommendations for the surveillance of hepatic complications in the post-Fontan patient population.

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Keywords

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