Left ventricular function following attempted surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract

Left ventricular function was assessed by angiographic methods in 40 patients (ages 3-27), 1-12 years following repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Twenty of the 40 patients (group A) had a satisfactory repair with a pulmonary-systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs)≤1.5 and a right ventricular systolic pressure of ≤ 60% of the left ventricular value. The other 20 patients (group B) had a Qp/Qs>1.5 and/or a right ventricular systolic pressure >60% of the left ventricular value. Group A patients had a normal left ventricular enddiastolic volume (LVEDV), end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), ejection fraction (LVEF), and mass (LVM), while the group B patients had significantly elevated LVEDV, LVEDP, LVM, and a significantly depressed LVEF. These findings indicate that patients with a satisfactory hemodynamic repair of tetralogy of Fallot have normal left ventricular function while patients with postoperative unsatisfactory hemodynamics have significantly impaired left ventricular function.