Leslie’s Big Day: Fontan Revision, Cox-Maze Procedure, and Pacemaker Implantation!

What happens when a Fontan patient needs a tune-up? What kinds of procedures might a Fontan patient need after living with a Fontan heart? What can we learn from an experienced Fontanner who might be facing multiple medical procedures?

Leslie Castro is a 48-year-old former single ventricle patient from Pennsylvania. She was born with tricuspid atresia, pulmonary stenosis and multiple other heart defects, and had the Classic Fontan at the age of 12 in 1985. She is almost 2 years post-transplant. 

Prior to transplant, Leslie had a very complicated journey with her heart. In just one day, she underwent a Fontan revision, Cox-Maze procedure, and pacemaker implantation. She also experienced arrhythmias and tried a range of medications to control her symptoms. Ultimately, the Fontan revision was unsuccessful which led to her receiving a transplant from a Hepatitis C positive intravenous drug user.   

Fortunately, today Leslie is doing well and she is here to talk to us about her journey to transplant. 

Links to Leslie’s other “Heart to Heart with Anna” appearances:

Classic Fontan Survivor Post-Cardiac Transplant: https://www.buzzsprout.com/62761/7884964

Hepatitis C and Cardiac Transplantation:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/62761/8500544

An article by Dr. Barbara Deal, Dr. Constantine Mavroudis, and Dr. Carl Backer regarding their experience with Fontan revisions: https://academic.oup.com/ejcts/article/34/5/1034/379177?login=true

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