The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2003
Procoagulant and anticoagulant factor abnormalities following the Fontan procedure: increased factor VIII may predispose to thrombosis.
Using age-matched controls, this study prospectively evaluated coagulation factor abnormalities and hemodynamic variables in children who had undergone the Fontan operation. ⋯ Procoagulant and anticoagulant factor levels were significantly lower in patients after the Fontan operation independent of hemodynamic variables peculiar to the Fontan circulation. Increased factor VIII level requires further evaluation as a cause of thrombosis in patients with Fontan physiology and may also indicate a subset of these patients in whom anticoagulation is indicated.