title: Magnetic resonance imaging-guided surgical design: can we optimise the Fontan operation?
abstract: The Fontan procedure, although an imperfect solution for children born with a single functional ventricle, is the only reconstruction at present short of transplantation. The haemodynamics associated with the total cavopulmonary connection, the modern approach to Fontan, are severely altered from the normal biventricular circulation and may contribute to the long-term complications that are frequently noted. Through recent technological advances, spear-headed by advances in medical imaging, it is now possible to virtually model these surgical procedures and evaluate the patient-specific haemodynamics as part of the pre-operative planning process. This is a novel paradigm with the potential to revolutionise the approach to Fontan surgery, help to optimise the haemodynamic results, and improve patient outcomes. This review provides a brief overview of these methods, presents preliminary results of their clinical usage, and offers insights into its potential future directions.
authors.affiliation: 1 The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, United States of America.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Haggerty
authors.affiliation: 1 The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, United States of America.
authors.forename: Ajit P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Yoganathan
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cardiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fogel
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D018729:Fontan Procedure / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted