Tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract

Patients after corrective surgery of tetralogy of Fallot develop residual findings in both early postoperative course and long-term follow-up in adulthood. Most residual findings affect the right ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary arteries and thus indirectly influence the function of the right ventricle. The most frequent residual finding is volume overload of the right ventricle due to severe pulmonary insufficiency. In spite of the fact that guidelines on the correct timing of pulmonary valve replacement exist, there are still a lot of controversies. Preservation of the function of the right ventricle and prevention of arrhythmias arising from the right ventricle are crucial for the long-term survival and morbidity of tetralogy of Fallot patients.