Transcatheter Therapy

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Apr 18, 2018 | Margaret Shepard | @Margaret_Marie

Mayo Clinic adult congenital and pediatric cardiologist Nathaniel Taggart, M.D., discusses transcatheter therapy in patients who have undergone a Fontan operation.

Transcatheter therapy in patients who have had a Fontan operation is helpful to obtain pressure information and gather anatomical images of the heart structure when standard follow-up testing warrants further investigation. If necessary, interventional procedures can take place to avoid open heart operations or more extensive procedures in the future.

Procedures can include angioplasty, stent implantation, occlusion of collateral vessels, closure of surgical fenestration or closing recurrent or residual shunt defects. Like other procedures, transcatheter therapy does have risks. These can include damage to blood vessels, infection, arrhythmias, and blood clots, so these are closely monitored during and after the procedure.

• Learn more about congenital heart disease.
• Nathaniel Taggart, M.D.