The complexity of using standard echocardiographic methods for assessing contractility and pumping function of the heart in patients after Fontan surgery is determined by the non-standard anatomy of the heart chambers and the peculiarity of systemic venous return.

Purpose. To assess the possibility of using some generally accepted echocardiographic criteria, to determine their reference values in patients after total cavopulmonary junction surgery in the long term.

Material and methods. Echocardiographic study included patients aged from 4 to 10 years, no earlier than 1 year after Fontan surgery and closure of the unloading fenestration.

Results. Ultrasound parameters characterizing the structural and functional changes in the heart and hemodynamics were studied on the basis of an analysis of the results of an echocardiographic study of 124 patients with completed Fontan surgery.

Conclusion. The optimal planimetric method for assessing the volume and function of a single ventricle is to use the «area-length» algorithm. Nonplanimetric parameters are effective for assessing the contractility and pumping function of a single ventricle with complex spatial anatomy: rate of increase pressure in systole (Dp\DtMax), myocardial index (Tei), and contractility index and the integral of blood flow in the outflow tract and in the abdominal aorta. It was established that the common ventricle of the heart after the operation of the total cavopulmonary connection is spherical, and the aortic root is dilated in 70% of patients. The features of blood flow in cavopulmonary compounds were evaluated. The multiplicity of the increase in blood flow velocity during breathing in the lower cavopulmonary connection is an important indicator of cardiohemodynamics in children with univenticular correction. With usual breathing, the ratio should be 1.7-2.3, with forced inspiration 2.6-4.5.