Abstract： With the evolvement of surgical, anesthetic, perfusion, and perioperative management techniques, the mortality of routine corrective operation of tetralogy of Fallot（TOF） has been less than 2%-3%, while more and more attention has been paid to patient long-term prognosis. Chronic postoperative pulmonary regurgitation （PR） is one of the important prognostic factors which are puzzling cardiac surgeons. Subsequent right ventricle dilation, right ventricular dysfunction and fatal arrhythmias as chronic PR complications have important impact on the postoperative quality of life and long-term survival. Current treatment choice for PR includes pulmonary valve replacement（PVR）, intervention, and hybrid procedures. PVR is the main surgical method for chronic PR which can significantly improve patient cardiac function and clinical symptoms，and prolong long-term survival. Intervention does not require thoracotomy once again, and can thus reduce surgical trauma and risks. Intervention is also helpful to improve right ventricular pressure conditions and PR degree. This article focuses on the pathophysiological changes of chronic PR after surgical repair of TOF, surgical indications for PVR, clinical treatment progress and early prevention of PR.
ObjectiveTo evaluate mid-term outcomes of pulmonary valve replacement surgery after repair of tetralogy of Fallot.MethodsA total of 73 patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot who underwent pulmonary valve replacement surgery in our hospital from January 2010 to January 2020 were enrolled, including 42 males and 31 females. The median age was 3.9 (0.2-42.8) years at initial repair and 20.0 (2.0-50.0) years at pulmonary valve replacement. The clinical data of the patients were recorded and analyzed.ResultsThere was no death in postoperative 30 d. The average follow-up time was 35.6±28.5 months, and no death occurred during the follow-up. One patient underwent a second reintervention after initial pulmonary valve replacement. The 1- and 5-year survival rates were both 100.0%, the 1- and 5-year reintervention-free rates were both 100.0%, and the 1- and 5-year valve failure-free rates were 100.0% and 67.1%. There was no significant difference in valve failure-free rates between different age groups (P=0.49) and different type of valve groups (P=0.74). The right (P=0.006) and left (P=0.002) ventricular ejection fractions were significantly improved, and the QRS duration was shortened after pulmonary valve replacement (P=0.006).ConclusionMid-term outcomes of surgical pulmonary valve replacement were satisfactory in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot, while the long-term effects should be further emphasized in clinical practice.