title: Tetralogy of Fallot: to patch or not to patch?
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000254:growth & development / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013771:Tetralogy of Fallot / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors