Beyond the Fontan: Understanding Physiology, Complications, and Lifelong Care Delivery

Activity Description:

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of Fontan physiology, emphasizing the unique hemodynamic principles of the single ventricle circulation and the absence of a subpulmonary pump. The discussion will explore the downstream consequences of chronic venous hypertension and low cardiac output, including multisystem complications such as Fontan-associated liver disease, lymphatic failure syndromes, arrhythmias, and renal dysfunction. A multidisciplinary, lifespan-oriented approach to care will be highlighted, including contemporary surveillance strategies, evolving testing algorithms, and the role of coordinated specialty care. The session will also examine opportunities to standardize and enhance care delivery across health systems, with a focus on building sustainable, network-wide programs to improve long-term outcomes for patients living with Fontan circulation.

Target Audience

This course is designed for Physicians, Advanced Practice Providers, Nurses, and Allied Health Professionals involved in pediatric and adult congenital heart care.

Learning Objectives

  • Examine the fundamental principles of Fontan physiology and pulmonary blood flow.
  • Recognize the major limitations and hemodynamic challenges of the Fontan circulation.
  • Identify common multisystem complications, including liver, lymphatic, and rhythm disorders.
  • Review current surveillance strategies for lifelong Fontan management.
  • Examine multidisciplinary and system-level approaches to optimizing patient care.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    HCA Healthcare Continental Division is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    HCA Healthcare Continental Division designates this for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 1.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
06/09/2026
Course expires: 
06/09/2028
Rating: 
0

Accreditation:

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the direct providership of HCA Healthcare Continental Division. HCA Healthcare Continental Division is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation:

The HCA Healthcare Continental Division designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Commercial Support:  

This Activity was developed without support from any ineligible company.*The ACCME defines ineligible companies as those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Note: The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical service directly to patients to be commercial interests – unless the provider of clinical services is owned, or controlled by, and ACCME defined ineligible company.

Disclosure: 

The HCA Healthcare Continental Division is committed to providing CME that is balanced, objective, and evidenced-based. In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards for Integrity and Independence all parties in control of content are required to disclose all conflicts of interest with ACCME defined ineligible companies. None of the planners, faculty, and those in control of this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.​

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    HCA Healthcare Continental Division is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    HCA Healthcare Continental Division designates this for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 1.00 Attendance
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Activity Registration Requirements

Learners must have a CME.HealthONEcares.com account in order to access/complete the following requirements. To complete the activity, attendees must...

  1. Participate in the activity
  2. Complete Pre/Post Test
  3. Complete the Activity Evaluation

Learners who complete the requirements above will receive the designated credits they are eligible for. Learners interested in CME credit must verify their profession is listed in their profile in order to be eligible for credits.

Required Hardware/software

We recommend the following hardware/software to successfully view and complete the contents of this course:

For ease of use, we strongly recommend using a desktop computer to complete this course. The following desktop web browsers are compatible with our system:

Desktop: Chrome, Internet Explorer, MS Edge, Safari

While not recommended, if you are familiar with completing courses online you may complete this course using a mobile device. For those wishing to complete this activity on Mobile, the following systems are recommended:

Apple iPhones and iPad devices on iOS 10 or later
Android phones and tablets on Android OS 4.4 or later using the supported web browsers listed above.

If you encounter any issues while accessing our courses, please contact [email protected]