The FUEL FALD Study: Effects of Udenafil on Liver Stiffness and Fibrosis after Fontan - Summary - MDSpire

The FUEL FALD Study: Effects of Udenafil on Liver Stiffness and Fibrosis after Fontan

  • By

  • Kurt R. Schumacher

  • Jonathan Dillman

  • David J. Goldberg

  • Mark Cartoski

  • Michael DiMaria

  • Benjamin Frischhertz

  • Salil Ginde

  • Bryan H. Goldstein

  • Nagraj Kasi

  • Christine K. Lee

  • Daniel H. Leung

  • Chad Y. Mao

  • Brian W. McCrindle

  • Shaji Menon

  • Matthew O’Connor

  • Alexander R. Opotowsky

  • Joseph Palermo

  • Stephen M. Paridon

  • Daniel Penny

  • Rahul Rathod

  • Jonathan B. Wagner

  • Angela Yetman

  • Victor Zak

  • Mark Russell

  • June 20, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To assess longitudinal serum and imaging biomarkers of liver fibrosis in subjects enrolled in the FUEL trial, specifically evaluating the effects of udenafil on liver stiffness and fibrosis in patients with Fontan physiology.

Approach:
    Key Findings:
    • Udenafil was hypothesized to decrease liver stiffness and ELF score over 12 months.
    • SWE and MRE are effective non-invasive measures for assessing liver fibrosis in Fontan patients.
    • The ELF score is a weighted score of three serologic markers related to fibrotic remodeling.
    Interpretation:

    The study aims to determine the impact of udenafil on liver health in patients with Fontan physiology.

    Limitations:
    • The study is a pre/post cohort study without a control group.
    • Exclusion of patients with severe complications may limit generalizability.
    Conclusion:

    The study investigates the effects of udenafil on liver stiffness and fibrosis in patients post-Fontan surgery.

    Sources:

Original Source(s)

The FUEL FALD Study: Effects of Udenafil on Liver Stiffness and Fibrosis after Fontan

  • by Kurt R. Schumacher, Jonathan Dillman, David J. Goldberg, Mark Cartoski, Michael DiMaria, Benjamin Frischhertz, Salil Ginde, Bryan H. Goldstein, Nagraj Kasi, Christine K. Lee, Daniel H. Leung, Chad Y. Mao, Brian W. McCrindle, Shaji Menon, Matthew O’Connor, Alexander R. Opotowsky, Joseph Palermo, Stephen M. Paridon, Daniel Penny, Rahul Rathod, Jonathan B. Wagner, Angela Yetman, Victor Zak, Mark Russell

  • June 20, 2026

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