Taking down the Fontan tomorrow

So Caelen doesn't like his Fontan. Thats the bottom line and that sucks!

The plastic bronchitis is a direct result of the Fontan and a clear indicator that the Fontan just isn't working for him. It's also the last straw I think. So Caelen is going to the cath lab tomorrow around 1:30 to have his Fontan functionally taken down. They will be occluding between the Fontan and the SVC and stenting open the fenestration. Functionally making him a Glenn again. Blood flow from the IVC will shunt through the stented fenestration to the body. The SVC will still feed the lungs.

Dr Rome will be doing the cath and he is the head of the cath team. There are certainly risks associated, blood clotting being a big one, but it is safer to do this via cath lab then back in the OR. They will have to go thru hepatic access though, which means making an incision through his side and going thru his liver. This is the only way to access the Fontan in the manner they need to since his femoral access is all occluded.

Please keep praying for Caelen. This is obviously not what we wanted, but right now it's our only option. Caelen can potentially go several more years as a Glenn again before we have to reattempt the Fontan. Please also pray that he stays stable tonight. The plastic bronchitis is causing major problems right now and the casts are blocking airways. Please pray for the bronchitis to heal and his lungs to heal.

Thank you,
Katye