Treatment for Fontan complications will depend on your overall health and what problems you are experiencing. The Kentucky Adult Congenital Heart Program specializes in many treatment options for Fontan patients.
Some patients may benefit from exercise training and cardiac rehabilitation programs to improve circulation and strength. UK HealthCare’s comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programs, available at several locations throughout the region, offer:
- Guided exercise training
- Emotional support
- Education to help patients return to their regular routine
Cardiac rehabilitation is available for patients with chronic heart issues or those who have experienced a cardiac emergency or have undergone surgery.
Many Fontan patients need medicines such as blood thinners or pulmonary vasodilators, which require ongoing monitoring.
Blood thinners: Patients who undergo Fontan procedures can experience issues like low heart output, high pressure in the central veins and blood pooling — all of which can allow blood clots to develop. Blood thinners, such as aspirin, warfarin and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, can reduce the risk for clots.
Pulmonary vasodilators: Because circulation and lung function are often impacted after the Fontan procedure, you may need to take medicines known as pulmonary vasodilators. These medicines are blood vessel dilators and help open blood vessels in the lungs that are blocked or narrowed.
If your Fontan complications have progressed to heart failure, implanting a ventricular assist device (VAD) can offer a bridge to transplant while you wait for a donor heart. When your heart is weak due to end-stage heart failure, a VAD helps your body pump blood from your heart to other parts of your body.
Some Fontan patients may ultimately need heart or heart-and-liver transplants. UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute does not currently offer heart transplants for Fontan patients; however, we will work with you to ensure continuity of care at a different facility.
