Prognostic significance and correlations of neurohumoral factors in early and late postoperative period after Fontan procedure.

We focused on neurohumoral activity and its clinical correlates early and late after fenestrated, lateral intra-atrial total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). Between 2007 and 2010, we prospectively studied 28 early and 48 late postoperative TCPC patients. Plasma concentrations of vasopressin, endothelin-1, proBNP, proANP were determined. We reviewed clinical data to determine relationship between neurohumoral activation and clinical status after TCPC. There was a significant influence of preoperative ventricular end-diastolic pressure (VEDP) (P=0.008) and vasopressin concentration (P=0.02) on the appearance of prolonged pleural effusions. A significant correlation between a combined predictor (a product of preoperative vasopressin concentration and VEDP) and time of effusions (r=0.59, P=0.006) was found. The mean respiratory equivalent of carbon dioxide at peak exercise (VE/VCO(2peak)) was significantly lower in patients operated before the second year of life compared to patients operated after two years of age (27.5±1.39 vs. 48.6±3.86; P=0.039). There was a significant correlation of endothelin-1 (r=0.84; P=0.008) and proBNP (r=0.88; P=0.02) concentrations with VE/VCO(2peak). The prolonged postoperative pleural effusions can be predicted based on the product of preoperative vasopressin concentration and VEDP. Exercise performance is related to the age at TCPC. Endothelin-1 and proBNP can be useful for identification of high-risk Fontan patients.