Routine Sildenafil Does Not Improve Clinical Outcomes After Fontan Operation

Fontan operation can be complicated by persistent chest tube output (CTO) leading to prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS). Postoperative sildenafil administration has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in selected patients after Fontan. We initiated a practice change utilizing intravenous (IV) sildenafil in early postoperative period in all patients undergoing Fontan operation with aim to decrease LOS and CTO. Nineteen patients (February 2014–May 2016) received 0.35 mg/kg sildenafil IV (three doses) followed by enteral, 1 mg/kg every eight hours until hospital discharge. Clinical outcomes were compared to 84 pre-protocol controls. Vital signs were recorded after second sildenafil dose. Demographics were similar between groups. Sildenafil group had longer median LOS [9 (7, 11) vs. 13 (8, 25) days, p = 0.016]. CTO days were longer [6 (5, 8) vs. 8 (6, 13) days, p = 0.011]. Sildenafil group had longer mechanical ventilation [6.9 (3.5, 11.1) vs. 4 (2, 7) h, p = 0.045] and longer oxygen therapy [99 (52, 225) vs. 14.5 (14, 56) h, p = 0.001]. There was a trend towards more albumin 5% resuscitation in first 24 h [17 (1, 30) vs. 21 (10, 40) ml/kg, p = 0.069]. There was no difference in inotrope score at 24 h, maximum lactate, or fluid balance. Readmission rates were similar. There was no mortality. IV sildenafil was well tolerated, and no doses were held. Routine early administration of sildenafil after Fontan operation is not associated with an improvement in any measured clinical outcome, including postoperative CTO, LOS, colloid administration, or duration of mechanical ventilation.