Tetralogy of fallot in the adult

Abstract

Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common form of cyanotic congenital heart disease. In developed countries, almost all patients with this cardiac malformation are repaired in childhood. Innovations in the diagnosis and management of tetralogy of Fallot have led to dramatic improvements in early survival. As a result, the population of tetralogy of Fallot repair survivors is growing rapidly. Surgical management of tetralogy of Fallot leaves anatomic and functional abnormalities in the majority of patients. This chapter will discuss the different issues related to the most important problems (as chronic pulmonary-valve insufficiency and obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract, right ventricular outflow tract aneurysm, pulmonary branch artery stenosis, dilated ascending aorta, aortic regurgitation, residual ventricular septal defect, arrhythmic problems) that physicians can face in managing these patients. Some other important aspects of the postoperative management of the right ventricular function will also be proposed.