The Procedure
Fontan circulation is a surgical solution applied in complex heart defects where veinous blood from the lower part of the body goes directly into the lungs, bypassing the heart. It is one of the stages in the treatment of the univentricular heart, and involves the complete separation of systemic circulation from pulmonary circulation, with the single ventricle used for pumping blood to the greater circulation.
In this female patient, the surgically implanted conduit that brings blood from the inferior vena cava to the pulmonary vascular bed had narrowed down significantly. Using access through the superior vena cava (both femoral veins were obstructed), the cardiologists performing the intervention broadened the conduit with a stent graft, with a very good effect.
Who Carried out the Procedure
The patient is under the care of Professor Magdalena Lipczyńska from the Department of Heart, Chest, and Transplant Surgery, which is led by Professor Mariusz Kuśmierczyk.
The procedure was carried out jointly by Professor Zenon Huczek from the 1st Chair and Department of Cardiology, and Jacek Kuźma, MD, PhD, from the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.
This achievement serves as an example of cooperation between specialists from various disciplines, made possible by the facilities and multidisciplinary nature of the WUM UCC – a center where experience meets innovation for the benefit of the patient.