Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital received a $1.57 million Project Grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837) awarded July 1, 2026, with a completion date of March 31, 2028. The award funds research aimed at improving long-term outcomes for children with single ventricle disease (SVD) who undergo Fontan surgery. Specifically, the project investigates surgical strategies to address Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD), a major cause of later-term morbidity and mortality in Fontan patients. The research examines how different Fontan surgical techniques—including the extracardiac total cavo-pulmonary connection (EC TCPC) and lateral tunnel (LT) approaches—affect disease progression, with particular focus on how somatic overgrowth and biomaterial compliance mismatch alter hemodynamics and contribute to differential FALD incidence.

The project deliverables center on advancing the understanding of surgical decision-making and patient outcomes in pediatric congenital heart disease. As a pediatric research organization with substantial experience in cardiovascular disease research and clinical trials, the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital will conduct evidence-based research to support clinical translation, data analysis, and outcomes evaluation. The findings are intended to inform surgical strategy refinements that could extend patient longevity and reduce end-organ dysfunction associated with Fontan hemodynamics, ultimately contributing to improved pediatric cardiac care standards.