Background: To compare the incidence of arrhythmias and the overall survival at long-term follow-up of the right auricular baffle technique (RA) versus Gore-Tex® (GT) baffle as intra-atrial cavopulmonary lateral tunnel, as well as the Nakata index and tunnel dimensions on cardiac magnetic resonance. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected. Serial 24-hour Holter recordings and cardiac magnetic resonance findings of the two groups were compared. Results: There was no significant difference in the estimated freedom from arrhythmias (87% at 10 years and 78% at 15 years vs 80% at 10 years and 70% at 15 years in RA and GT, respectively; P = .44) nor cumulative survival (86% at 10 years and 84% at 15 years vs 97% at 10 years and 81% at 15 years in RA and GT, respectively; P = .8). Also, no difference between the groups was observed in the Nakata index. The tunnel dimensions on cardiac magnetic resonance were significantly wider in the RA group. In reference to other potential risk indicators, using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, only age (5 years or older at the time of total cavopulmonary connection) was associated with an increased risk for both arrhythmia and mortality. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that there was no difference in freedom from arrhythmias, Nakata index, or survival between the two groups. This study confirmed the growth potential of the right auricular tunnel. However, the growth of the tunnel did not influence the incidence of arrhythmias.
Fontan Pathway Growth: A Quantitative Evaluation of Lateral Tunnel and Extracardiac Cavopulmonary Connections Using Serial Cardiac Magnetic Resonance
