title: Echocardiographic assessment after surgical repair of tetralogy of fallot.
abstract: Surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot is still one of the most frequently performed intervention in pediatric cardiac surgery, and in many cases, it is far from being a complete and definitive correction. It is rather an excellent palliation that solves the problem of cyanosis, but predisposes the patients to medical and surgical complications during follow-up. The decision-making process regarding the treatment of late sequel is among the most discussed topics in adult congenital cardiology. In post-operative Fallot patients, echocardiography is used as the first method of diagnostic imaging and currently allows both a qualitative observation of the anatomical alterations and a detailed quantification of right ventricular volumes and function, of the right ventricular outflow tract, and of the pulmonary valve and pulmonary arteries. The literature introduced many quantitative echocardiographic criteria useful for the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms involving the right ventricle and those have made much more objective any decision-making processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult with Congenital Heart Disease, IRCCS San Donato Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carminati
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult with Congenital Heart Disease, IRCCS San Donato Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Pluchinotta
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult with Congenital Heart Disease, IRCCS San Donato Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Luciane
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult with Congenital Heart Disease, IRCCS San Donato Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Micheletti
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult with Congenital Heart Disease, IRCCS San Donato Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Negura
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult with Congenital Heart Disease, IRCCS San Donato Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chessa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult with Congenital Heart Disease, IRCCS San Donato Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Butera
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult with Congenital Heart Disease, IRCCS San Donato Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arcidiacono
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult with Congenital Heart Disease, IRCCS San Donato Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saracino
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Adult with Congenital Heart Disease, IRCCS San Donato Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bussadori
keywords: cardiac surgical procedures; echocardiography; right ventricular dysfunction; strain rate; tetralogy of Fallot