Abstract: Objective To investigate the method of improving effect, by investigating and analyzing the possible risk factors affecting shortterm outcome after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Methods Data of 219 patients who received total correction of TOF were divided into two groups according to the length of postoperative stay in hospital and recovery of heart function in the near future. Group A(n=110): patients had good recovery of heart function classified as gradeⅠorⅡ（NYHA classification）, and could smoothly be discharged from the hospital within two weeks without serious complications. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) had to exceed to 0.50 during 6 months followup visit. Group B(n=109): patients had worse recovery of heart function classified as grade Ⅱ or Ⅲ, and could not be discharged within two weeks with severe complications. LVEF was less than 0.50 during 6 months followup visit. The clinical data of two groups were compared, and risk factors affecting shortterm outcome after total correction of TOF operation were analyzed by logistic regression and model selection. Results There were good recovery of heart function classified as gradeⅠorⅡ(NYHA classification）in discharge, no death, and LVEF all exceeded to 0.50 in group A; there were 8 deaths in group B (7.34 %), and recovery of heart function was worse classified as grade Ⅱ or Ⅲ, with LVEF being less than 0.50（Plt;0.01）. Amount of postoperative daily thoracic drainage, assisted respiration time, time of inotropic agent stabilizing circulation, and the average length of postoperative stay in group A were all less or short than those in group B（Plt;0.01）. But the bypass and clamping time of group B were exceeded group A. The ratio of patching astride annulus in group B was greater than that in group A, and Nakata index was less than that in group A(Plt;0.01). The results of logistic regression and model selection indicate: age at repair (OR=0.69), oxygen saturation(OR=0.98), haematocrit before operation (OR=0.94), and patching astride annulus (OR=46.86), Nakata index (OR=16.90), amount of postoperative daily thoracic drainage (OR=0.84), presence of arrhythmia(OR=0.87), and wound infection(OR=63.57) have significant effect with shortterm outcome after total correction of TOF operation. Conclusions The probable methods to improving effect of shortterm outcome after total correction of TOF are an earlier age at repair, decreasing haematocrit, rising oxygen saturation before surgery, performing a palliative operation facilitating development of arteriae pulmonalis in earlier time, improving the surgical technique, and strengthening the perioperative care.
Objective To compare the difference of effect while using homograft pericardium patch and Gore- tex patch in staged repair of tetralogy of Fallot（TOF） to enlarge the right ventricular outflow tract （RVOT）. Methods Twenty-eight patients with TOF who underwent the staged complete repair were divided into 2 groups according to the date of surgery. Gore-rex group, 13 cases, their RVOT were enlarged with Gore-tex patches. Cryopreserved homograft pericardium patch group, 15 cases, their RVOT were enlarged with cryopreserved homograft pericardium patches. Clinical results and follow-up results were compared. Results There were 1 operative death in Gore-tex patch group （7. 7%）, and 1 early postoperative death in cryopreserved homograft pericardium patch group （6. 7%）. Hemostasia time, the pericardial cavity drainage volume in cryopreserved homograft pericardium patch group were less than those in Gore-tex patch group （P〈0. 01）. All patients were followed-up for 0.8-4.5years. The residual obstruction rate at RVOT level in Gore-tex patch group was higher than that in cryopreserved homograft pericardium patch group by echocardiography （P〈0.01）. No calcification shadow was found on the chest X-ray. Conclusion Homograft pericardium is the tissue with high density and intensity, its elasticity and compliance are good. Using homograft pericardium patch may be helpful to decrease the residual obstruction of RVOT after operation. It can be adapted as a repairing material in heart surgery.
Objective To investigate the optimal timing for surgical treatment of infants less than six months of age with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), and to improve surgical results and reduce early mortality. Methods Clinical material of 108 consecutive patients with TOF who were less than six months of age undergoing early surgery from Oct.1996 to Dec. 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 70 males and females with mean age of 4.70 months (9 d-6 months). 104 patients underwent complete repair and four patients underwent BlalockTaussig (B T) shunt. Emergency procedures have been performed in 5 patients. Results Five patients (4.63%) died of low cardiac output syndrome (3 patients), pulmonary infection and acute respiratory distress syndrome (1 patient), and acute necrotizing enteritis (1 patient).82 patients were followed up, followup period was 31.17±40.00 months.21 patients lost to followup. One patient(0.92%) required additional intervention for pulmonary valve stenosis 6 months after operation. Heart functional class(New York Heart Association) recovered toⅠ-Ⅱgrading in other patients. Echocardiography shows: no residual ventricular shunt, no stenosis in right ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary valve, pressure difference≤50 mm Hg. No late deaths. Conclusion Early definitive repair of TOF can be performed safely on infants less than six months of age, the results of low mortality is acceptable.
The aim of this study was to clarify characteristics of cardiovascular malformation in patients associated with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) by using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) angiography. We retrospectively analyzed DSCT angiography of 99 consecutive patients with TOF. In addition to typical CT features of TOF in all patients, the DSCT angiography showed 27 cases (27.27%) of atrial septal defect, 14 cases (14.14%) of patents ductus arteriosus, 11 cases (11.11%) of bicuspid pulmonary valve, 18 cases (18.18%) of congenital coronary artery malformation, 22 cases (22.22%) of right aortic arch, 12 cases (12.12%) of persistent left superior vena cava, 8 cases (8.08%) of retro-aortic innominate vein and 9 cases (9.09%) of pulmonary venous anomalous. DSCT is capable of displaying anatomical characteristics of cardiovascular malformation in patients with TOF.