Anesthetic management for Fontan procedure without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass

: We examined the anesthetic management for Fontan procedure performed without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (Group N, n = 7) and that for equivalent procedure under cardiopulmonary bypass (Group E, n = 10) retrospectively. In Group N, surgical repairs of major vascular system were performed while bypassing the superior or inferior vena cava to the right atrium. The use of anesthetics and vasoactive agents was similar in both groups. Patients in Group N had significantly less blood loss and were extubated significantly earlier than those in Group E. However, significant metabolic acidosis was noted in Group N when reconstruction of the vascular system was completed and so-called Fontan circulation was initiated. Fontan procedure without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass may have advantage of less impairment for the cardiac performance and the pulmonary vasculature. However, its anesthetic management is another challenge to the anesthesiologist and requires meticulous control of both optimum preload and vascular resistance of the pulmonary artery.