Tetralogy of Fallot: to patch or not to patch?
Egloff, L.; Schönbeck, M.; Arbenz, U.; Turina, M.; Senning, A.
Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery 26(2): 187-190
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9509 PMID: 3980575 Document Number: 258788
Angiograms of 11 patients with Tetralogy of Fallot were reviewed before and after total repair, and analyzed with respect to growth of the pulmonary valve annulus. At the operation none of the patients was more than 5-years-old, none received a transannular patch and all were asymptomatic at the last visit. The radiologic diameter of the pulmonary valve annulus was compared to the descending thoracic aorta at the level of the diaphragm. Preoperative ratio averaged 1.09 +/- 0.22 and increased postoperatively to 1.35 +/- 0.20 (p less than 0.02). A "catch-up" growth of small annuli could be demonstrated.