Combined Heart-Liver Transplantation for Failing Fontan Physiology: A Large Single Center Comparative Analysis

C. J. Rosenthal¹, D. Noguchi¹, J. A. Aboulhosn², G. S. Van Arsdell³, A. Nsair⁴, M. Ha¹, L. Reardon², G. Lluri⁴, J. P. Lin⁴, S. Saab¹, A. Baird¹, R. S. Venick¹, D. G. Farmer¹, F. M. Kaldas¹

¹Liver and Pancreas Transplant Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, ²Ahmanson/UCLA Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, ³Cardiac Surgery, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, ⁴Cardiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 147

Keywords: Heart failure, Heart transplant patients, Liver transplantation, Surgery

Topic: Clinical Science » Heart » 63 - Heart and VADs: All Topics

Session Information

Session Name: Heart and VADs: All Topics I

Session Type: Rapid Fire Oral Abstract

Date: Sunday, June 5, 2022

Session Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm

Presentation Time: 6:40pm-6:50pm

Location: Hynes Room 210

*Purpose: The rate of combined heart-liver transplantation (HLT) has tripled in the last decade, and continues to rise along with the number of patients with a failing Fontan palliation. Cardiac failure with congestive liver disease is fueling demand for HLT in this complex patient population. We examined post-Fontan HLT (FHLT) patients compared to patients without congenital heart defects receiving HLT, or post-Fontan patients receiving heart transplant (FHT) alone.

*Methods: HLT, FHLT and FHT recipients were compared [35 patients, retrospective, single center; 2004-2020]. Analysis was done using SPSS Statistics 27. Pre, intra and post-operative variables were examined.

*Results: Within post-Fontan patients, there were 13 FHLT and 16 FHT. 6 patients received HLT. Compared to HLT patients, FHLT patients were significantly younger (median age: 32.5 vs. 55.5, p=0.002) and had more prior sternotomies (median 3 vs. 0, p<0.001). Relative to FHT patients, FHLT patients had longer preoperative hospital stay (median days: 50 vs. 12.5, p=0.001), higher incidence of bridging fibrosis on preoperative biopsy (69.2% vs. 18.8%, p=0.006), and greater intraoperative transfusion requirements (median mL PRBC: 3250 vs. 1350, p=0.022). Compared to either group, FHLT patients had more prior coiling procedures (53.8% vs. 0% HLT, p=0.044, 53.8% vs. 18.8% FHT, p=0.064), a greater proportion of NYHA class IV patients (100% vs. 33% HLT, p=0.087, 100% vs. 43.8% FHT, p=0.062), and more frequent postoperative reintubation (69.2% vs. 16.7% HLT, p=0.057, 69.2% vs. 0% FHT, p<0.001). Two FHLT patients had hepatocellular carcinoma, compared to none in the other groups. All groups had similar MELD scores, postoperative hospital stays, and one-year survival (FHLT 83.3%, HLT 92.3%, FHT 100%, p=0.807).

*Conclusions: This represents one of the largest single center studies in patients with a failing Fontan receiving HLT. These patients are more challenging to manage compared to non-congenital HLT and post-Fontan HT patients. Although post-Fontan HLT patients have greater perioperative care needs, their outcomes are comparable to these other patient groups. Rising utilization of HLT as a life-saving operation in patients with a failing Fontan requires continued attention to further optimize outcomes in these complex patients.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Rosenthal CJ, Noguchi D, Aboulhosn JA, Arsdell GSVan, Nsair A, Ha M, Reardon L, Lluri G, Lin JP, Saab S, Baird A, Venick RS, Farmer DG, Kaldas FM. Combined Heart-Liver Transplantation for Failing Fontan Physiology: A Large Single Center Comparative Analysis [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/combined-heart-liver-transplantation-for-failing-fontan-physiology-a-large-single-center-comparative-analysis/. Accessed May 18, 2025.

« Back to 2022 American Transplant Congress