Lung perfusion patterns after bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (hemi-Fontan procedure)

Perfusion lung scans were performed immediately prior to Fontan procedure in 45 patients with a functional single ventricle who underwent the hemi-Fontan procedure as an intermediate stage between the initial palliative shunt procedure and the final complete Fontan anastomosis. Symmetric pulmonary blood flow (PBF) distribution was found in 27% of patients, whereas moderately to severely abnormal PBF distribution was found in 35% of patients. The achieved systemic aortic saturation following the hemi-Fontan procedure was not affected by these abnormalities.