Thrombotic Complications and Thromboprophylaxis Across All Three Stages of Single Ventricle Heart Palliation The Journal of Pediatrics, 05/08/2012

Manlhiot C et al. – Given the negative impact of thrombotic complications on survival, the low risk of serious bleeding complications, and the association between thromboprophylaxis and lowered thrombotic complication risk across all 3 palliative stages, routine use of thromboprophylaxis from the initial palliation to the early post–Fontan period in this population may be indicated.

• Two separate cross-sectional studies were performed that included 195 patients born between 2003-2008 and 162 patients who underwent Fontan after 2000.

• The incidence of thrombotic complications was 40% and 28% after initial palliation and superior cavopulmonary connection (SCPC), respectively; 5-year freedom from thrombotic complications after Fontan was 79%.
• Thromboprophylaxis was initiated for 70%, 46%, and 94% of patients after initial palliation, SCPC, and Fontan, respectively.
• Thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin (vs no thromboprophylaxis) was associated with a reduction in risk of thrombotic complications after initial palliation (hazard ratio [HR] 0.5, P = .05) and SCPC (HR 0.2, P = .04).
• Thromboprophylaxis with warfarin was associated with a reduction in thrombotic complications after Fontan (HR 0.27, P = .05 vs acetylsalicylic acid; HR 0.18, P = .02 vs no thromboprophylaxis).
• Three patients experienced major bleeding complications without permanent sequelae (2 enoxaparin, 1 warfarin).