Margaret R. Ferrari
Michael V. Di Maria
Jeffrey G. Jacot- 1Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- 2Division of Cardiology, Heart Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
Though the current staged surgical strategy for palliation of single ventricle heart disease, culminating in a Fontan circulation, has increased short-term survival, mounting evidence has shown that the single ventricle, especially a morphologic right ventricle (RV), is inadequate for long-term circulatory support. In addition to high rates of ventricular failure, high central venous pressures (CVP) lead to liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, lymphatic dysfunction, kidney failure, and other comorbidities. In this review, we discuss the complications seen with Fontan physiology, including causes of ventricular and multi-organ failure. We then evaluate the clinical use, results, and limitations of long-term mechanical assist devices intended to reduce RV work and high CVP, as well as biological therapies for failed Fontan circulations. Finally, we discuss experimental tissue engineering solutions designed to prevent Fontan circulation failure and evaluate knowledge gaps and needed technology development to realize a more robust single ventricle therapy.
Introduction
Single ventricle heart disease (SVD) is a complex and severe congenital heart defect (CHD) that is characterized by a single pumping chamber and an inability to septate the heart surgically into dedicated pulmonary and systemic circulations. SVD represents roughly 3% of all CHD cases and may affect several structural components of the heart including the valves, ventricles, aorta, and septa (1). Treatment for SVD has changed drastically over the past several decades. This once fatal disease now has surgical treatment options that carry patients into early adulthood. However, the standard of care approach does not adequately support patients long-term (2) and many researchers are investigating novel bioengineered solutions to treat SVD. This review will detail the significant advances in bioengineered solutions to the challenges facing patients after the Fontan-Kreutzer surgery.
Standard of Care
For the purposes of this review, the focus will be on hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), the most common type of SVD where the left heart structures are underdeveloped (Figure 1A); however, many of the therapies reviewed are applicable to other SVD physiologies. A three-stage palliative surgical strategy is the most common treatment option for HLHS patients. The first surgery, the stage I Norwood procedure, occurs within a few days of birth. In the Norwood operation, surgeons establish an unobstructed pathway from the ventricle to the body and divert a pressure-limited supply of blood to the lungs (Figure 1B). To this end, a “neo-aorta” is constructed using a pulmonary homograft, xenogeneic pericardium, or a synthetic graft and connected to the right ventricle (RV), allowing the functional pumping chamber to supply the systemic circulation (3). Additionally, an atrial septal defect is created (or enlarged) to ensure oxygenated blood returning to the left atrium can access the single ventricle. Pulmonary flow is directed to the lungs using a Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt; typically, a 3.5-millimeter conduit is anastomosed between the right pulmonary artery (PA) and the right subclavian artery (3). Alternatively, surgeons can place a Sano shunt, a conduit between the RV and PA (4). While not in common use in most surgical centers in the US, the hybrid procedure (Patent ductus arteriosus stenting and bilateral PA banding) can also be implemented in place of the Norwood operation as an initial palliative procedure. The second palliative procedure, the Bidirectional Glenn, occurs 4–6 months after the Norwood operation and directs all superior systemic venous flow into the pulmonary artery (Figure 1C) (5). The BT shunt is removed, and the superior vena cava (SVC) is anastomosed to the proximal right pulmonary artery. This procedure reduces the volume load on the single ventricle, thereby decreasing wall stress and ventricle wall hypertrophy (6). The third and final surgery, the Fontan-Kreutzer procedure, is implemented between 2 and 4 years of age, placing the pulmonary, and systemic circulation in series (Figure 1D). A synthetic conduit is commonly used to connect the inferior vena cava (IVC) directly to the PA (7). In conclusion, staged palliation introduces passive flow into the pulmonary circuit via an IVC and SVC anastomotic connection directly to the pulmonary artery, and the functional right ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation. This passive pulmonary flow is accompanied by obligate elevation in central venous pressure (CVP), leading to immediate post-operative and also life-long obstacles (8).
Figure 1. (A) Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the most common type of single ventricle disease, is characterized by an underdeveloped left side of the heart. (B) The stage I Norwood procedure establishes an unobstructed pathway from the ventricle to the body and diverts a pressure-limited supply of blood to the lungs. (C) The stage II Glenn procedure directs all superior systemic venous flow directly to the pulmonary artery, which reduces the volume load on the single ventricle, thereby decreasing wall stress and ventricle wall hypertrophy. (D) The stage III Fontan-Kreutzer procedure places the pulmonary and systemic circulation in series, introducing passive flow into the pulmonary circuit while the functional right ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation.
Post-surgical Complications
While the series of palliative procedures culminating in the Fontan-Kreutzer operation addresses the issues of obstructed systemic blood flow and cyanosis, it introduces a host of other complications. Heart failure and circulatory dysfunction remain difficult to characterize in this heterogenous population and deviate from the classical biventricular heart failure phenotype. Fontan failure has several different presentations, ranging from a phenotype similar to that of traditional “right heart failure” to inexorable lymphatic leak (9). As a result of the series circulations and the lack of a sub-pulmonary ventricle, CVP is significantly elevated. This is the primary driver of multiple different presentations of “Fontan failure,” including protein losing enteropathy (PLE), plastic bronchitis (PB), and liver fibrosis and cirrhosis (10–12).
The thoracic duct, which drains mesenteric and thoracic lymphatics, inserts into the innominate vein, which has a pressure of 12–15 mmHg after the Fontan-Kreutzer operation (normal CVP is 3–5 mmHg). As a result, there is a decrease in the pressure gradient driving lymphatic flow, which impairs lymphatic drainage with increases the risk of lymphatic dysfunction and failure. Experts believe PLE is due to retrograde drainage of lymphatic fluid into the intestinal tract after a direct connection between the lymphatics and the gut lumen has been established, for example, following an acute gastroenteritis (13). PLE leads to complications such as bone density reduction, coagulation irregularities, abdominal swelling, immune dysfunction, and abnormal linear growth. When lymphatic leak occurs into the hollow organs of the chest, lymphatic fluid drains via collaterals into the airways and manifests as plastic bronchitis. A thick, rubbery cast forms in the airway and may block air flow, leading to hypoxemia and in the worst case possible suffocation if not removed or expectorated (11). The presence of PB and PLE have been associated with up to a 16-fold increase in the risk of mortality, Fontan takedown, or heart transplant (14, 15).
Another common issue in this patient population is acquired Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD). Hepatic arterial flow is altered in the Fontan circulation and studies have indicated that a combination of abnormal perfusion of the liver combined with hepatic congestion can lead to hepatic fibrosis, which can lead to hepatic cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma with prolonged fibrotic scarring (16, 17). While the implications of FALD remain incompletely understood, there are important considerations related to heart transplantation as a therapeutic option in end-stage Fontan failure (18).
Studies have indicated that the number of Fontan-associated comorbidities are directly related to age and result in increased risk of death, length of hospital stay, and cost of healthcare (14, 19, 20). Thus, as patients age, the number of post-Fontan complications increases as well as their risk of death. A recent study suggests over half of Fontan patients present with heart failure, require heart transplantation, or die within a 28 years' time period (14). This data indicates that the standard of care falls short in supporting this population long-term and incentivizes the research community to develop novel treatment strategies for infants and adults with SVD.
Options for Patients With Fontan Failure
Once circulatory failure is apparent, heart transplantation is the only defined option for patients after clinical decompensation. Outcomes of heart transplant in this population vary widely between centers and single ventricle anatomy (21–23). Graft failure, infection, and operative complications following heart transplant are more common in the Fontan population compared to other CHD conditions (22–25). In fact, one report suggested patients that previously received a Fontan-Kreutzer operation were 8.6 times more likely to die after cardiac transplantation than patients with other CHD anomalies (25). While overall survival outcomes in pediatric heart transplantation have increased over the past decades, donor hearts are still scarce, limiting the availability of heart transplantation for the failed Fontan population. In fact, one study found that 21.1% of pediatric patients listed in the high risk category died while waiting for a suitable donor (26). However, several reports suggest temporary mechanical circulatory support can sustain a patient for a short time while waiting for cardiac transplantation (27–31). This option is often referred to as a “bridge-to-transplantation” and while it has shown promising short-term outcomes, many SVD patients still die waiting for a donor heart (24).
Advancements in research have combined scaffold and stem cell technologies for prevention and reversal of Fontan failure. These technologies will be reviewed here, in addition to analyses of other bioengineered solutions. Further, this review will compile and detail design considerations for a preventative, tissue engineered solution for the SVD population. This is the first review, to our knowledge, that summarizes both preemptive and reactionary bioengineered solutions for the Fontan patient.
Mechanical Solutions for Patients With Fontan Failure
As circulatory mechanical support device (MSD) technology develops, these devices are increasingly used in the single ventricle population. As previously mentioned, in the short-term, these devices are used for “bridge-to-transplantation” or emergency situations. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used to support pediatric patients with cardiopulmonary failure and represents the first MSD, albeit with an oxygen delivery component, used in patients with SVD. However, reports suggest patients with single ventricle physiology on ECMO are less likely to survive compared to children with biventricular CHDs (67% in hospital mortality vs. 56%) (32). Similarly, an analysis of data acquired by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry reported neonatal SVD patients have a 65% mortality rate on ECMO, nearly 10% higher than in patients with biventricular CHDs (33). Additionally, the risk of death for patients with single ventricle physiology on ECMO increases drastically with time, specifically after 6 days (32–35). This established outcome data has led to a surge in the use of implantable MSDs, rather than extracorporeal, for indefinite support of SVD patients. This section will briefly identify the most common long-term MSDs that have been implanted in patients with a failing Fontan circulation. Reviews devoted to MSDs for patients with single ventricle physiology have been published and should be referenced for a detailed landscape of all mechanical assist options (36–39).
Mechanical Support Devices Implanted in Patients With Fontan Failure
The first MSD developed for long-term support of pediatric heart failure patients has appeared within the last several decades—The Berlin Heart (BH). This device is a pneumatically driven extracorporeal ventricular assist device (VAD) that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under a Humanitarian Device Exemption in 2011 (HDE #H100004). This device has the ability to support patients with Fontan circulation until cardiac transplantation (27, 29, 31, 32, 40–50). Details regarding each implantation can be found in Table 1. The BH has supported adults (older than 18 years) with a failed Fontan circulation for up to 493 days (55) and pediatric patients with a failed Fontan for up to 229 days (51). The youngest pediatric patient to receive a BH with successful bridge to transplantation was 15 months old and supported for 7 weeks (50). Studies report the BH can also lower CVP levels in a pediatric patient by 4 mmHg (27) and an adult patient by 22 mmHg (31). These are promising results for those with high CVP levels, the primary clinical driver of failed Fontan circulation.
Table 1. Comprehensive list of case studies and retrospective studies where long term, mechanical ventricular assist devices were implanted in patients, adult and pediatric, with a failed Fontan circulation.
In addition to the BH, many mechanical assist devices approved by the FDA for use in adults with heart failure have been used off-label in the pediatric population. Data regarding the HeartMate (HM) II in a Fontan circulation is limited to case studies, lowering one patient's CVP levels by 19 mmHg (Table 1) (56, 59). The HM II has also supported young adults with a failed Fontan circulation for up 3 years before being bridged to transplantation (54, 55). A recently published report of 35 patients with pediatric heart failure, 5 with a Fontan circulation, who received a HM III since December 2017 shows encouraging results (Table 1) (57, 58). While detailed data relative to each patient's congenital defect are not available, of the 35 patients only 1 had died at the time of paper submission in September 2019 (57). Further, 20 patients were successfully bridged to transplantation, 13 remain alive on the device, and one patient experienced ventricular recovery and was weaned off the device (57). This study represents the highest survival rate for the longest period of time in a pediatric cohort receiving a long-term mechanical device. However, seven patients experienced elevated CVP levels >16 mmHg and exhibited clinical manifestations of high CVP while supported by the HM III, including edema and hepatic deterioration (57). Thus, this long-term mechanical assist device successfully bridges pediatric patients to transplant but does not ultimately address all cases of high CVP.
Off-label use of several other mechanical assist devices intended for adult heart failure (HF) are noted in Table 1, including the HeartWare, the Jarvik 2000, the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart, and the Thoratec VAD (predecessor of HeartMate) (52, 53, 60–64). These devices have seen scarce use in patients with a failed Fontan circulation and are limited to case studies, making it difficult to draw conclusions on their effectiveness within the Fontan population.
Mechanical Support Devices Under Development for Patients With Fontan Failure
Several groups have identified the need for a mechanical assist device that does not assist the systemic ventricle in hopes of improving CVP, but rather is implanted in the central venous system. All groups (Table 2) tested these devices in an in vitro system, with tunable capacitance and resistance, representative of Fontan physiology (65, 67, 69, 70). The largest in vitro change in pressure (7.6 mmHg) was found by Rodefeld et al. using a derivative of the Von Karman viscous rotary pump (Table 2) (66, 67). However, the pump was designed for placement in a conduit parallel to the Fontan connection, introducing additional surgical considerations and challenges (67). An artificial right ventricle (ARV) developed by researchers at the University of Colorado found an estimated 5 mmHg pressure change in CVP (Table 2) (68). The drawback to their device design is the use of an external power source rather than remotely powering the ARV. This device also requires implantation of a bifurcated conduit, restricting its application to a specific Fontan geometry (68). On the contrary, it may be beneficial to have a venous assist device in a conduit separate from the Fontan connection to decrease the risk associated with pump failure and obstruction. It is important to note that the Von Karman derivative and the ARV were not tested under pulsatile conditions (65, 67, 68). One group did in fact test their aortic turbine venous assist pump (iATVA) in a pulsatile environment, which introduced a host of limitations related to pulse propagation throughout the system and pump instability (Table 2) (67). This study magnifies the necessity for pulsatile in vitro systems in order to properly test circulatory mechanical assist devices. Thus, more accurate testing and design modifications are required to determine the efficiency of the aforementioned devices within a Fontan circulation.
Table 2. Mechanical support devices under development for implantation within the total cavopulmonary connection in patients with Fontan circulation in an effort to assist pulmonary flow.
A group out of Penn State College of Medicine performed both in vitro and in situ experimentation of a venous assist device placed at the four way junction of the PA, IVC, and SVC (70). The in vitro work delivered promising results with an inverse relationship between pressure head and flow (70). The authors then implanted their device in a single sheep model for 30 days; post-operative complications included pressure catheter migration from the PA to the RV, edema, and increased levels of thromboplastin, a protein responsible for initiating blood coagulation (70). The explant data revealed a severely bent outlet cannula with multiple thrombi present and thrombus formation on the outlet rotor (70). This study confirms the importance of device testing in a large animal model with Fontan circulation for a better understanding of design needs and in situ function.
Clinical Relevance
The performance of mechanical assist devices in patients with SVD has improved markedly since the days of ECMO, but the outcomes of the aforementioned studies demonstrate that problems persist when using these devices long-term. In many cases, implantation of an MSD introduced a host of related complications (thrombi, bleeding, stroke, etc.) without lowering CVP or curbing symptoms of circulatory dysfunction, which begs the question of whether or not using MSDs indefinitely is a plausible solution for the SVD population. Further, venous assist devices under development have experienced similar issues of thrombosis and this complication must be addressed prior to human trials. Based on the results discussed in this section, we believe an MSD is not the ideal candidate for long-term support of patients with a Fontan circulation due to the characteristic nature of heavy alloys and the inevitable hematological complications.
Tissue Engineered and Stem-Cell Based Therapies for Preventing Fontan Failure
Tissue engineering was coined by Langer and Vacanti nearly 30 years ago as an interdisciplinary approach that utilizes cells, scaffolds, and bioactive molecules to develop biological substitutes for damaged tissues (71). Since its inception, the field has hosted a wide variety of applications. In particular, regeneration of damaged heart tissue has been of interest, most likely due to the high mortality rate associated with ischemic and congenital heart diseases. Although the cause of SVD is not entirely understood, studies indicate abnormalities in cardiomyocyte signaling, replication, and proliferation during fetal heart development contribute to defect formation (72–74). Additionally, there has been evidence of human heart regeneration (75, 76), and the discovery of these mechanisms has encouraged the use of stem-cells in congenital heart defect therapies. Herein, we discuss tissue engineering and its subcomponents as it applies to prevention of RV failure and inadequate Fontan circulation.
Stem Cell Therapies for Preventing Fontan Failure
Many cell types have been used for tissue engineering purposes, but a subset of stem cell lineages have proven most effective at improving ventricular function in patients with SVD (Table 3). Cardiac progenitor cells, or stem cells that have committed to a cardiac fate, were first delivered to patients with HLHS in the Transcoronary Infusion of Cardiac Progenitor Cells in Patients With Single Ventricle Physiology (TICAP) clinical trial (77). Fourteen patients received autologous cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) delivered via catheterization 1 month after stage I or stage II palliation. Compared to the control group, patients that received CDCs displayed improved RV ejection fraction (mean 31.5 vs. 40.4%) 18 months after delivery and no adverse events were reported, thus demonstrating safety and efficacy (77). After 36 months, the CDC group had a significantly higher cardiac index compared to the control group (mean 4.9 vs. 3.6 L/min/m2), maintained superior RV ejection fraction (mean 41.8 vs. 32.3%), and exhibited a larger absolute change in RV ejection fraction (mean +5.7% and −2.2%) (78). Following these promising results, researchers moved to a randomized phase II clinical trial called Cardiac Progenitor Cell Infusion to Treat Univentricular Heart Disease, or PERSEUS. This clinical trial enrolled 41 eligible patients, 17 of which were randomly allocated to the control group and later had the option of receiving CDC infusion (79). The 34 patients that initially received CDC infusion demonstrated significant improvements in ejection fraction after 3 months compared to baseline values (mean 41.7 vs. 35.3%) (79). A year after treatment, patients maintained improved cardiac function, with an absolute change in ejection fraction from baseline to +7.4% (79). Researchers then began multicenter, randomized phase III clinical trial in 2016 coined Cardiac Stem/Progenitor Cell Infusion in Univentricular Physiology (APOLLON Trial: NCT02781922). No results have been published yet for this trial.
Table 3. Clinical trials that have/are using stem cell therapies for prevention and recovery of the failed Fontan circulation.
In addition to cardiac progenitor cells, several groups have investigated the benefit of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on systemic ventricular function in patients with SVD (Table 3). MSCs are multipotent and can be found in several tissues throughout the body, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord blood (UCB), and the placenta (80). The Mayo Clinic reported the first case study of a 4 months old infant with HLHS to receive UCB derived stem cells via a manufactured cell product (81). This product contains a high concentration of autologous mononuclear cells that cannot be obtained using traditional UCB cell isolation methods, and is delivered directly to the operating room where it is thawed and administered (82). Cells were delivered intraoperatively during stage II palliation near the apex of the right ventricle with no adverse events. At 3 months, the patient's RV ejection fraction improved by roughly 15% and a 29% fractional area change was observed (all compared to baseline) (81). Researchers followed with a phase I, non-randomized clinical trial to determine safety and feasibility of autologous UCB stem cell injection in the RV of patients with HLHS. Ten patients received treatment during the stage II palliation and no adverse events were reported until 3 months after treatment; one patient died due to multiorgan failure after elective colostomy (82). Although this late mortality was not associated with UCB injection, the study was placed on hold for further review by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (82). No additional results have been published from this clinical trial, though it remains active and is expected to complete in November 2020 (NCT01883076).
Lastly, a phase I/IIb clinical trial named Allogenic hMSC Injection in Patients With HLHS (ELPIS) began in March 2015 at the University of Maryland. The study was designed to enroll 30 patients with HLHS, beginning with 10 patient injections during stage II palliation to ensure safety, followed by 20 patient injections to determine efficacy of improved RV function (83). However, only five patients were enrolled, and the trial was prematurely terminated due to the sponsor's move to the private sector (NCT03525418).
Tissue Engineered Therapies for Preventing Fontan Failure
Tissue engineered conduits for use in the Fontan-Kreutzer procedure are being studied to replace commercial, non-living grafts. A pediatric surgeon, Toshiharu Shin'oka, implanted the first autologous engineered grafts in SVD patients during a 2001 Japanese clinical trial (84). Midterm results showed no adverse events for the 23 patients, but late term results indicated stenosis within the graft in several children (84, 85). Similar findings were discovered in the first United States clinical trial at Nationwide Children's Hospital, where 25% of patients experienced stenosis (85, 86). However, both studies demonstrated exceptional graft growth and they've found that graft patency can be maintained by delivering cells to the scaffold in a dose-dependent manner (87, 88). These studies demonstrate an autologous tissue engineered graft with the ability to remodel and grow with the host environment, a revolutionary finding for patients undergoing the Fontan-Kreutzer procedure. However, this solution does not address the long-term complications associated with passive flow and congestion within the Fontan circuit.
A group out of Tokyo Women's Medical University utilized cell sheet technology, a method in which cells are grown in a temperature sensitive dish and are released as a sheet when exposed to low temperatures, for application in the Fontan circulation (89, 90). This technology has also been harnessed to regenerate adult tissue following ischemic myocardial events and the results indicate cell sheet technology is effective in improving ventricular ejection fraction, end diastolic dimensions, pulmonary pressures, and exercise tolerance (91). Shimizu et al. cultured cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and wrapped two triple-layered cell sheets around the IVC of 13 nude rats (90). Spontaneous beating (independent of host cardiac pulsation) was observed 3 weeks after implantation, but inner pressure changes were minimal and not significantly different between 4 and 8 weeks timepoints (median 0.05 mmHg vs. 0.27 mmHg) (90). Pacing and engraftment failure were also apparent in a small portion of rats at each time point (90). This group is now developing a new method to combine hiPSC derived cardiomyocytes with human dermal fibroblasts to increase maturation of cardiomyocytes, and thus better recapitulate native myocardium function, in vitro (92).
Similar to the previous study mentioned, a group at the University Heart Center Hamburg in Germany developed engineered heart tissues (EHTs) using neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, in combination with biomaterials, and tested them in the vena cava of male rats (93). Two EHTs, each 6–8 mm in length and 1 mm in diameter, were wrapped around the dissected SVC of 12 rats and sacrificed at 7, 14, 28, and 56 days for analyses (93). Upon implantation, EHTs were contractile and after explantation, the structures maintained microscopic contractility. Histology revealed dense vascularization, including evidence of capillaries and differentiated cardiomyocytes with advanced organization (93). The authors note that this is a proof-of-concept study; however, no follow-up studies have been published since this 2016 paper. In addition, the method for evaluating conduit function had many drawbacks; there was no demonstration of flow through the construct and the hemodynamic evaluation relied on cross-clamping for significant changes in pressure.
More recently, a report out of Yale University details the design and in vitro performance of a modular tissue engineered pulsatile conduit (TEPC) (94). Briefly, the conduit base is a decellularized human umbilical artery (HUA) seeded with human cardiac fibroblasts. The base is wrapped in an engineered heart tissue composed of decellularized porcine heart matrix, human stem cell derived cardiomyocytes, and adult human cardiac fibroblasts (94). This design proved superior in compliance and cardiomyocyte contractility compared to other designs tested by the authors, including strategies with a polyglycolic acid mesh and a collagen-based scaffold in place of decellularized porcine heart matrix (94). The TEPC was tested using a mechanical perfusion bath equipped with field stimulating electrodes. The perfusion chamber and inner lumen were filled with Tyrode solution, and the inner lumen of the TEPC was held constant at 10 mmHg. Without electrical stimulation, spontaneous beating was apparent and resulted in an average 0.68 mmHg change in pressure. When electrically stimulated at 1 and 2 Hz, the recorded internal pressure changes were, on average, 0.75 and 0.83 mmHg (94). This study represents the most advanced tissue engineered structure, in both testing and design, for prevention of a failed Fontan circuit. While this study was published to support the authors' TEPC design and conceptualization, further studies are required to better understand its clinical application to the Fontan circulation. Future TEPC design considerations should include switching to an autologous cell source, testing alternatives to HUA, and robust mechanical and electrical stimulation for cardiomyocyte maturation and thus increased pulse pressures.
Clinical Relevance
The caveat in determining the clinical relevance of the discussed tissue engineered solutions in preventing Fontan circulation failure is discerning the impact of early intervention on late outcomes. While it is evident that both MSCs and CDCs improve single ventricle function short-term, it would be extremely difficult to ascertain the effect that each cell type has on late Fontan failure years after intervention, especially in patients where HF symptoms stray from the classic phenotype. A main takeaway from the MSC and CDC based clinical trials, though, is the safety and efficacy of autologous stem cell use within the SVD population, and the ability to modulate tissue engineered structures by delivering cells to a scaffold in doses. This information has undoubtedly informed the tissue engineering community working toward Fontan failure therapies, which is evident in the design of each solution discussed here. We strongly support a push toward human induced pluripotent stem cells as the most scalable and efficient path forward for such therapies, and we recommend the use of scaffolds for cell retention purposes. In order to properly evaluate and compare said therapies, a standardized in vitro protocol would be invaluable and accelerate the development of a tissue engineered solution for preventing Fontan failure.
Tissue Engineered and Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Repairing Fontan Failure
Very few groups have utilized tissue engineering for reversal of Fontan failure, as the risk of imminent death is high once symptoms present, and alternative rescue methods are well-understood and fairly reliable (i.e., mechanical assist). The following section discusses the few case studies and research groups that have used tissue engineering strategies for repairing circulatory failure in children with Fontan physiology.
Stem Cell Therapies for Repairing Fontan Failure
One clinical trial to date has examined the benefit of MSCs on declining ventricle function after Fontan palliation (NCT02549625). The cells utilized in this trial were bone marrow derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs), which contain a heterogenous population of cells, including MSCs, and regenerative paracrine factors, delivered via an intracoronary catheter (95). This phase I trial enrolled 10 patients and is expected to complete in April 2021. The primary outcome measure of the study was the number of related serious adverse events after cell delivery while the secondary outcome included monitoring changes related to cardiac structure and function; both were monitored for 2 years.
The aforementioned clinical trial has published a report detailing infusion of BM-MNCs in the right and left coronary arteries of a 25 years old man with Fontan circulation, an ejection fraction of 34%, severe ascites, aortic valve regurgitation, and a dilated RV (95). The patient was a poor candidate for cardiac transplantation due to desensitization to human leukocyte antigen and had received consistent outpatient therapy with little sustained resolution, making him an obvious candidate for this study (95). He experienced no adverse events during surgery or at the 1, 3, and 6 months follow-up visits (although he had one episode of palpitations) (95). The patient experienced the maximal therapeutic effect at 3 months, exhibiting an estimated RV EF of 45%, although it declined to 38% at 6 months (95). This case demonstrates the first intracoronary infusion of stem cells in a patient with Fontan circulation and HF symptoms. While this case study provides promising anecdotal evidence that BM-MNCs have a benefit on the failing systemic ventricle, additional cases must be presented to ensure efficacy and safety of this therapeutic, which are expected upon completion of the clinical trial (NCT02549625).
An early case report from Giessen, Germany details a patient with declining ventricle function after stage II palliation for correction of HLHS (96). Chronic failure of the right ventricle after repeated resolution attempts led the family and clinicians to consider heart transplantation; however, doctors initiated a rescue stem cell therapy on a compassionate basis (96). This patient also received autologous BM-MNC treatment after isolation from an iliac spine aspirate, albeit within a Norwood circulation. The patient experienced no adverse events during or after intracoronary infusion of BM-MNCs, and displayed oxygen saturations up to 88% and an RV EF of 44% 3 months after infusion (96). These results encourage the use of BM-MNCs in the SVD population, although this is a single report. The phase I clinical trial to be completed in April 2021 will hopefully provide a better understanding of BM-MNCs as an avenue for reversal of a failed Fontan circulation.
Tissue Engineered Therapies for Repairing Fontan Failure
Few research groups have targeted the SVD population as a recipient of a tissue engineered cardiac patch for improvement of the systemic ventricle. This may be due to the fragile nature and rapid decline of these patients, or the barriers presented when seeking approval from regulatory bodies. However, many groups have investigated the effect of tissue engineered structures for improvement of ventricle function in adults with heart failure (97–107). A collaboration between researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology (GIT) and the University of California San Diego (UCSD) launched the development of a cardiac patch geared toward pediatric patients experiencing heart failure (108). The three-dimensionally printed patch consists of autologous human cardiac progenitor cells, porcine cardiac extracellular matrix, and a synthetic biomaterial (gelatin methacrylate). It aims to release paracrine factors to the native myocardium that signal the host to regenerate cardiac tissue (108). Their most recently published work details the feasibility of patch implantation in a rat model. Vascularization was observed 14 days after implantation of the patch on the epicardium, indicating adequate nutrient delivery and integration with the host environment (108). Future studies will focus on efficacy of the patch in improving myocardial function. Although they have not tested this patch in patients with SVD, they have observed effectiveness in late ventricular failure in adults (107). These studies combined provide excellent understanding of patch composition relative to paracrine factor modulation and encourages the use of tissue engineering strategies for reversal of Fontan failure.
Clinical Relevance
The studies detailed in this section highlight the usefulness of small molecules in signaling the damaged myocardium to regenerate. As was previously stated, BM-MNCs contain an array of paracrine molecules and progenitor cells, both of which have the ability to cause regeneration provided the appropriate scaffold. However, the topology, rigidity, and chemical makeup of the scaffold that progenitor cells are seeded onto or in can alter cell function and phenotype (109), indicating that for tissue engineered structures, the “perfect storm” of scaffold(s), cells, and signaling molecules must be used in order to obtain the desired therapeutic effect. A reasonable approach to expedite the clinical application of a tissue engineered structure for use in patients with SVD is exemplified by collaborators at GIT and UCSD. These researchers used an autologous stem cell source, which minimizes host rejection due to antibody mismatch, and a scaffold (porcine cardiac ECM) that would likely promote a cardiac cell fate. Finally, the cascade of signaling molecules triggered by factors released via this tissue engineered structure evidently encourage the desired therapeutic response, as shown by the results from the pediatric progenitor patch animal study and the phase I clinical trials in adults with late HF (107, 108).
Conclusions
Families and patients face an arduous journey when diagnosed with SVD, involving years of palliative surgeries and impending patient decline. This population experiences Fontan failure in a variety of presentations, ranging from lymphatic to ventricular dysfunction, and are nearly always accompanied by high CVP. In addition, Fontan failure is multifactorial and arrythmia, cardiac failure, valvular incompetence, systemic outflow obstruction, desaturation due to arteriovenous malformations, and lymphatic congestion can all lead to raised CVP. These elevated pressures are likely responsible for multi-organ decline, but the pathogenesis is not entirely understood, making it difficult to develop targeted therapies.
Upon developing circulatory dysfunction, patients with SVD are destined for a heart transplant or death. In the event that neither is an option, MSDs are used until a suitable donor heart is available. While it seems that MSDs are able to support patients until transplantation, many still experience Fontan failure symptoms or problems associated with the MSD implantation. In the long-term, complications arise with MSDs and are most often related to blood irregularities, eliminating this as a viable solution for indefinite use.
Development of a tissue engineered structure for Fontan failure, both for the single ventricle and venous return, have developed significantly in the past several decades. However, researchers have taken various approaches, and this has slowed progress. Stem cells delivered to the ventricle show promising results but likely don't have a lasting effect years after they are administered, leading us to recommend the use of a scaffold for cell and structural retention. It is also unclear whether or not a tissue engineered patch on the single ventricle has the ability to lower CVP and the associated complications, as the absence of a pulmonary ventricle is likely responsible. A uniform animal model and in vitro testing method should include pulsatile flow and alike Fontan parameters in order to compare tissue engineered therapies. Ultimately, cell-based therapies have displayed improvements in cardiovascular function in patients with SVD and represents a promising area for further investigation.
Author Contributions
JJ and MF: manuscript conception and design. MF: interpretation of relevant literature and drafting of manuscript. MD: medical expertise in single ventricle physiology. JJ and MD: critical manuscript revisions. MF and MD figure preparation. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.
Funding
We would like to thank support from the National Institutes of Health and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (1R01HL130436 to JJ) and the American Heart Association and Children's Heart Foundation (20PRE35260057 to MF).
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge K. Hunter, M. Lennon, and E. Vanderslice for their contributions in critical manuscript review. We would also like to thank B. Chidsey for assistance with figure preparation and permissions.
Abbreviations
RV, right ventricle; CVP, central venous pressure; SVD, single ventricle disease; CHD, congenital heart defect; HLHS, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome; BT, Blalock-Taussig; PA, pulmonary artery; SVC, superior vena cava; IVC, inferior vena cava; PLE, protein losing enteropathy; PB, plastic bronchitis; FALD, Fontan-associated liver disease; MSD, mechanical support device; ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; BH, Berlin Heart; VAD, ventricular assist device; HM, HeartMate; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; HDE, humanitarian device exemption; HF, heart failure; ARV, artificial right ventricle; iATVA, aortic turbine venous assist pump; CDC, cardiosphere-derived cell; MSC, mesenchymal stem cell; UCB, umbilical cord blood; hiPSC, human induced pluripotent stem cell; EHT, engineered heart tissue; TEPC, tissue engineered pulsatile conduit; HUA, human umbilical artery; BM-MNC, bone marrow derived mononuclear cell; GIT, Georgia Institute of Technology; UCSD, University of California San Diego; ECM, extracellular matrix; TAH, total artificial heart; HT, heart transplant; LCA, left coronary artery.
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Keywords: mechanical assist devices, stem cell therapies, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Fontan failure, right ventricular dysfunction, cardiac tissue engineering, single ventricle disease
Citation: Ferrari MR, Di Maria MV and Jacot JG (2021) Review on Mechanical Support and Cell-Based Therapies for the Prevention and Recovery of the Failed Fontan-Kreutzer Circulation. Front. Pediatr. 8:627660. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.627660
Received: 09 November 2020; Accepted: 31 December 2020;
Published: 26 January 2021.
Edited by:
Cecile Tissot, Clinique des Grangettes, SwitzerlandReviewed by:
Benjamin Bierbach, University Hospital Bonn, GermanyJu Liu, Shandong University, China
Copyright © 2021 Ferrari, Di Maria and Jacot. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Jeffrey G. Jacot, Jeffrey.jacot@cuanschutz.edu