Fontan Longterm Follow Up Clinic
- Location:
- 170 Elizabeth St., Main Floor, Clinic 7
- Phone:
- 416-813-7336
- Fax:
- 416-813-5582
About the Clinic
Supporting your child's health after Fontan surgery
The Fontan long-term follow-up clinic provides ongoing care for children and teens who have had a Fontan procedure.
Our goal is to support your child's overall health, development and quality of life, not just their heart health. Because a Fontan circulation can affect different parts of the body over time, your child will be cared for by a team of specialists who work together to monitor their health and identify concerns as early as possible.
The Fontan clinic works alongside your child's primary cardiologist. Together, we create a care plan that is personalized to your child's needs and adjusted as they grow.
We also support families by providing education, resources and guidance throughout childhood and adolescence. As your child gets older, we help prepare them for a successful transition to adult congenital heart care.
What to Expect During Your Visit
During your visit, you may meet with your child's cardiologist and other members of the Fontan care team. Depending on your child's age and health needs, the visit may include:
- a medical assessment
- blood or urine tests
- an electrocardiogram (ECG)
- an echocardiogram (Echo)
- exercise testing
- imaging tests such as ultrasound, MRI or other specialized testing
Some appointments may take place in different areas of the hospital. If several tests or specialist appointments are scheduled on the same day, your visit may take several hours.
Before you leave, your care team will review any test results that are available, discuss next steps and answer your questions.
Many of the tests and assessments completed through the Fontan clinic are routine. They help us monitor your child's health over time and identify concerns early, often before symptoms appear.
Some of the areas we regulary monitor are your child's:
- Heart health – We check how well the heart is working and look for changes in heart rhythm, heart valves and blood flow.
- Growth and nutrition – We monitor growth, nutrition and physical development to help your child stay healthy and active.
- Learning and development – Children with Fontan circulation may benefit from additional support with learning, development or behaviour. Assessments can help identify strengths and connect families with helpful resources.
- Liver health – We monitor for changes in liver health using blood tests and imaging.
- Blood health – Routine blood tests help us monitor your child's overall health and identify potential concerns early.
- Kidney health – We check kidney function, blood pressure and urine tests as part of ongoing monitoring.
- Rare Fontan-related complications – We also monitor for less common conditions, including:
- Plastic bronchitis
- Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE)
If there are signs of either condition, your care team will discuss additional testing and treatment options.
Follow-up after the Fontan procedure
Every child is different, and follow-up care is tailored to their individual needs.
Routine cardiac follow-up
Most children continue to see their cardiologist every year. These visits typically include:
- an echocardiogram (Echo)
- an electrocardiogram (ECG)
Some children may also need a cardiac MRI or cardiac catheterization, depending on their care plan.
Fontan Clinic follow-up
Many children have their first Fontan clinic visit about five years after their Fontan procedure. Depending on your child's age and health needs, follow-up care may include:
- blood and urine tests
- growth and nutrition assessments
- exercise testing
- Holter monitoring
- neuropsychology assessments
- liver and heart imaging
- bone health screening
- blood pressure monitoring
Transition to adult care
As your child approaches age 18, we will help prepare them for adult congenital heart care. This process may include transition clinic visits, education about managing their own health and additional testing when needed.
Coming to a clinic appointment
It's important to come prepared and be on time for a clinic appointment. Visit Coming for Clinic Appointments to read appointment guidelines that are applicable for most clinical appointments at SickKids.
You’ll find information on how to prepare and what to bring, what to do if you/your child are sick before your appointment or you need to cancel, and important things to know about the SickKids philosophy.
Our team
Dr. Anne Dipchand
Medical Lead, Staff Cardiologist
Lauren Scavuzzo
Nurse Practitioner
Email: lauren.scavuzzo@sickkids.ca
Phone: 416-813-5003
Patient and family resources
Life after a Fontan procedure
Children and teens who have had a Fontan procedure need lifelong follow-up care.
As children grow, a Fontan circulation can affect different parts of the body, not just the heart. Regular checkups help monitor your child's health, identify concerns early and support their overall well-being.
The Fontan long-term follow-up clinic brings together specialists from different areas to provide coordinated care and help your child stay as healthy as possible throughout childhood and adolescence.