Total correction of tetralogy of Fallot in the first year of life: late results.
BACKGROUND
Correction of tetralogy of Fallot in patients less than 1 year of age offers the advantage of a more normal development; but in the majority of cases exposes the patient to the possibly of a higher mortality with one-stage primary repair, and to the long-term effects of a transannular patch, which is often necessary.


METHODS
A retrospective review of total correction of tetralogy of Fallot performed in 63 consecutive patients at less than 1 year of age was made. Risk factors for operative mortality and functional status at follow-up were analyzed. Follow-up was obtained from clinic appointments and telephone questionnaires.


RESULTS
The operative mortality was 6%, with three late deaths. Aortic cross-clamp time more than 60 minutes (p = 0.023), cardiopulmonary bypass time more than 90 minutes (p = 0.016), and frequent preoperative respiratory tract infection symptoms (p = 0.008) affected operative survival; whereas age less than 3.0 months or weight less than 6.0 kg did not. Mean follow-up is 11.6 years (+/- 0.6 years, standard error). Actuarial survival is 89% (+/- 4%) and freedom from reoperation is 96% (+/- 4%) at up to 20 years after correction. Eighty-seven percent of patients have normal echocardiographic right ventricular function. Only 4 patients have greater than moderate pulmonary regurgitation by echocardiography. Three of these four patients are asymptomatic. At more than 15 years postoperatively, 88% of patients have good-to-excellent functional status.


CONCLUSIONS
Early correction of tetralogy of Fallot at less than 1 year of age can have a low operative mortality and provide excellent asymptomatic long-term survival.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, USA.
Adnan
A
Cobanoglu
Jess M
JM
Schultz
D017677:Age Distribution; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013771:Tetralogy of Fallot / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome