REVERSAL OF PROTEIN-LOSING ENTEROPATHY WITH HEPARIN-THERAPY IN 3 PATIENTS WITH UNIVENTRICULAR HEARTS AND FONTAN PALLIATION

We studied three pediatric patients with protein-losing enteropathy in conjunction with univentricular hearts and right atrial to pulmonary artery anastomosis (Fontan operation) before and during heparin therap y, Each patient showed dramatic improvements in symptoms, marked eleva tions in serum albumin levels, and quantitative reversal of enteric pr otein loss within a few weeks of beginning therapy. These findings sug gest that heparin may be an important treatment for this poorly unders tood condition.