Outcomes and complications of combined heart-liver transplantation in patients with failing Fontan physiology: A systematic review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-18-2025

Publication Title

World J Transplant

Keywords

Congenital; Fontan procedure; Heart defects; Heart transplantation; Liver transplantation; Multi-organ failure

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Single-ventricle congenital heart disease often requires the Fontan procedure, which can lead to Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) and multi-organ failure. Combined heart-liver transplantation (CHLT) is a potential lifesaving option for these patients. AIM: To investigate the outcomes and complications of CHLT in patients with failing Fontan physiology.

METHODS: Seven retrospective studies of 121 patients undergoing CHLT were systematically reviewed. Quality was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A meta-analysis using random-effects models to calculate odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS: The pooled 30-day, 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates after CHLT were 92.6%, 86.78%, 81.17%, and 77.8%, respectively. The mean intensive care unit and total hospital lengths of stay were 8.46 and 28.16 days. Mean ischemic time was 267.29 minutes, while cardiopulmonary bypass time was 260.27 minutes. Infections (30%), renal replacement therapy (36.84%), and graft rejection (12.34%) were notable complications. Compared to orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT), CHLT significantly reduced mortality (OR: 0.30, P = 0.009) and ischemic time (MD: -65.93 minutes), with no major differences in perioperative morbidity.

CONCLUSION: CHLT offers a survival advantage over OHT for patients with FALD and failing Fontan physiology. Future prospective studies are warranted to refine eligibility and improve long-term survival.

PubMed ID

41357403

Volume

15

Issue

4

First Page

106444

Last Page

106444

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