title: Enteric protein loss after the Fontan operation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study was undertaken to assess the frequency of excessive enteric protein loss and protein-losing enteropathy in the relatively early period after the Fontan operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Protein excretion was determined in 26 of 27 consecutive patients who underwent the Fontan procedure between January and June 1990 at the Mayo Clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  At two testing intervals during the first 4 months after the Fontan operation, alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance and fecal alpha 1-antitrypsin concentration studies were done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All results were normal for the first postoperative test period (2 to 8 weeks). For the second study period, all 17 patients tested had normal alpha 1-antitrypsin clearances. One of the 17 patients had an appreciably increased fecal alpha 1-antitrypsin concentration and transient protein-losing enteropathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excessive enteric protein loss and protein-losing enteropathy are relatively uncommon during the first 4 months after the Fontan operation.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Driscoll
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perrault
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Schaff
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Puga
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Danielson
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Feldt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000209:etiology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin