Balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve in the first year of life in patients with tetralogy of Fallot: A preliminary study

Abstract

Fifteen infants with tetralogy of Fallot, who would otherwise have required a palliative operation, underwent balloon dilatation of the right ventricular outflow tract. The mean period of palliation was 8.5 months (range 0.26 months). The procedure was performed without serious complications on 88% of occasions. This preliminary study suggests that balloon dilatation may be useful in the management of tetralogy of Fallot.