
pmid: 30943769
Background: The Fontan procedure has revolutionized the treatment of univentricular hearts. However, it is associated with severe complications such as protein-losing enteropathy, plastic bronchitis, and peripheral edema that may involve the lymphatic circulation. We aimed to assess lymphatic function and morphology in patients with a univentricular circulation. Methods: The functional state of lymphatic vessels in the lower extremities of patients with a Fontan circulation (n=10) was investigated using the novel technique near-infrared fluorescence imaging and compared with an age-, sex-, and weight-matched control group of healthy volunteers (n=10). The lymphatic morphology was described using T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, and microvascular permeability was estimated by strain gauge plethysmography. Results: The Fontan patients had 17% lower lymphatic pumping pressure (50±3.1 mm Hg) compared with controls (60±2.8 mm Hg; P =0.0341) and a 62% higher contraction frequency (0.8±0.1 min −1 ) compared with the healthy controls (0.5±0.1 min −1 ; P =0.0432). Velocity by which the lymph is moved and refill time after manual emptying of the lymphatic vessels showed no differences between the 2 groups. The thoracic duct was elongated 10% ( P =0.0409) and with an abnormal course in the Fontan patients compared with normal. No difference in microvascular permeability was found between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Patients with a Fontan circulation have an impaired lymphatic pumping capacity and morphologically changed thoracic duct. Our results indicate a challenged lymphatic vasculature in the Fontan circulation and may play a role in the pathogenesis of the complications that are seen in Fontan patients. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT03379805.
Lymphatic Vessels/diagnostic imaging, Adult, Heart Defects, Congenital, Male, Adolescent, Fontan Procedure, Permeability, Lymphatic Diseases/diagnostic imaging, Thoracic Duct, Young Adult, Pressure, magnetic resonance imaging, Humans, Fontan procedure, humans, Lymphatic Diseases, Heart Defects, Lymphatic Vessels, Optical Imaging, Fontan Procedure/adverse effects, Thoracic Duct/diagnostic imaging, Plethysmography, Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Treatment Outcome, Lower Extremity, Congenital/diagnostic imaging, Case-Control Studies, lymphatic abnormalities, Female, lymphography, edema, thoracic duct
Lymphatic Vessels/diagnostic imaging, Adult, Heart Defects, Congenital, Male, Adolescent, Fontan Procedure, Permeability, Lymphatic Diseases/diagnostic imaging, Thoracic Duct, Young Adult, Pressure, magnetic resonance imaging, Humans, Fontan procedure, humans, Lymphatic Diseases, Heart Defects, Lymphatic Vessels, Optical Imaging, Fontan Procedure/adverse effects, Thoracic Duct/diagnostic imaging, Plethysmography, Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Treatment Outcome, Lower Extremity, Congenital/diagnostic imaging, Case-Control Studies, lymphatic abnormalities, Female, lymphography, edema, thoracic duct
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