title: Use of Amplatzer occlusion devices to occlude Fontan baffle leaks during fenestration closure procedures.
abstract: The authors describe the use of Amplatzer occlusion devices to successfully occlude Fontan baffle leaks in three patients. These additional right to left shunts were recognized at the time of elective transcatheter closure of surgically created fenestrations. A common site of baffle leak is described at the base of the right atrial appendage. This suture line serves to exclude the right atrial appendage from Fontan baffle flow and lies within the corrugated surface of the pectinate muscles, making it particularly vunerable to baffle leaks over time.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Cardiology, Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Mami Medical Center, Portland, ME 04102, USA.
authors.forename: David I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Crowley
authors.forename: Jon P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D018729:Fontan Procedure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D018636:Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012086:Reoperation