Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40156658›Full record

ArticleHepatology international2026

Platelet slope and long-term clinical outcomes in children and adults with Fontan-associated liver disease.

Chaowapong Jarasvaraparn, Andrew Rodenbarger, Jessica Thoe, Raj Vuppalanchi, R Mark Payne, Larry Wayne Markham, Jean P Molleston

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Article in Hepatology international, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

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5citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Chaowapong JarasvaraparnDivision of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, ROC 4210, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. cjarasva@iu.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8076-9378
Andrew RodenbargerDivision of Pediatric Cardiology, Hepatology and Nutrition Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, ROC 4210, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
Jessica ThoeDivision of Pediatric Cardiology, Hepatology and Nutrition Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, ROC 4210, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
Raj VuppalanchiDivision of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Indiana University School of Medicine, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, ROC 4210, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
R Mark PayneDivision of Pediatric Cardiology, Hepatology and Nutrition Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, ROC 4210, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
Larry Wayne MarkhamDivision of Pediatric Cardiology, Hepatology and Nutrition Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, ROC 4210, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
Jean P MollestonDivision of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, ROC 4210, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesThere is a lack of robust literature describing a relationship between platelet count as a reflection of liver fibrosis and Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD). The present study investigated the serial longitudinal relationship of laboratory tests to cirrhosis and clinical outcomes in patients following Fontan procedure.

methodsThis was a retrospective study of patients with Fontan procedure who underwent laboratory evaluation at least 1 year after surgery. Clinical data, including death, failing Fontan physiology, and heart transplantation, were investigated. Cirrhosis was defined as stage 4 fibrosis on liver biopsy and/or evidence of cirrhosis from imaging. Portal hypertension (PHTN) was calculated using the VAST score (one point each for Varices, Ascites, Splenomegaly, and Thrombocytopenia); VAST score ≥ 2 indicating PHTN features.

resultsAmong 376 patients (184 children and 192 adults), cirrhosis was recorded in 52/376 (13.8%). Platelet counts in those with FALD-associated cirrhosis decreased significantly starting 25, 30 and 35 years after Fontan, compared to the non-cirrhosis group (151 vs. 188; p = 0.01, 134 vs. 174; p = 0.02, and 127 vs. 202 × 10

conclusionsFALD patients with cirrhosis develop decreasing platelet counts 25 years after Fontan procedure. Lower platelets, even if near normal range, can be a marker of cirrhosis in FALD. Cirrhosis with PHTN is an associated with worse heart transplant-free survival, overall survival, and failing Fontan.

Indexed as

Fontan ProcedureHypertension, PortalLiver CirrhosisPostoperative ComplicationsAdolescentAdultChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHeart Defects, CongenitalHeart TransplantationHumansMalePlatelet CountRetrospective StudiesYoung AdultCirrhosisFontan-associated liver diseaseOutcomesPlateletPortal hypertension

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.