A Study of Long-term Hemodynamic Results Following Complete Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot: 138 Patients Recatheterized 2 to 18 Years after the Surgical Correction

Complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot has been possible for over 20 years since December 3, 1954, when W. Lillehei performed the first successful open-heart repair on a 17-month-old infant whose circulation had been connected to that of his mother. Since that time the mortality following such an operation has declined to below 10% for the majority of surgical teams. Clinical results of the operations have been thoroughly studied, and the accumulated evidence illustrates that the majority of patients have shown good functional results in the years following surgery.

However, the long-term hemodynamic results remain largely unknown. Little research has been devoted to this aspect, and control catheterizations have generally been reserved for those patients with unsatisfactory clinical results. Regardless of the quality of the clinical result, an objective evaluation of the hemodynamic functioning of the repaired heart is necessary, both in order to make a successful prognosis for the future and in order to further technical progress in the field. Thus, the Cardiovascular Surgery Unit of the Hospital Broussais, Paris, has made a follow-up study of patients after complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Key-Words:

Tetralogy of Fallot - Total correction - Long-term results - Hemodynamic findings