Converting Fontan-Björk to 1.5- or 2-ventricle circulation

Abstract

Patients with tricuspid atresia and ventricular septal defect have in the past occasionally undergone a Fontan with “Björk” modification to create a connection between the right atrium and the right ventricular outflow tract. While rarely performed now, patients with this physiology often face severe complications requiring re-intervention. We hypothesize that surgical conversion to a 2-ventricle or 1.5-ventricle circulation can improve hemodynamics, clinical status, and thus increase time to transplant. We present two successful cases to illustrate this idea.