[Tetralogy of Fallot: postoperative monitoring of patients]

In 25 patients, 13 boys and 12 girls, median age 5.5 years, in 1990-2000, surgical reparation of their heart defects were performed. Median age of diagnostic Tetralogy of Fallot was 3.2 months, range 1 day-2 years. Anoxic spells were present in three patients. Ten patients (median age 3 years, range 3 months-10 years) initially palliated with a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt, underwent a reparation at a median of 4.5 years after palliation. Median follow up was 4.2 years, range 3 months-10 years. The 30-day mortality rate was 16%. Mean right ventricular outflow tract gradient on echocardiography was 20.20 +/- 4.78, and mean oxygen saturation was 96% +/- 1.3. Two patients had non significant residual ventricular septal defect with left to right shunt, 7 right ventricular enlargement and almost all mild pulmonary regurgitation. Also two patients had Blalock-Taussig shunt's thrombosis. Before surgical reparation, one boy showed pulmonary valve's endocarditis. Complete atrioventricular block has been developed on one girl. No patient required reintervention during follow up and there was no late mortality. Almost all of our patients were asymptomatic, had normal activity, regularly exercised and some of them participated in school sport programs. Complete correction of Tetralogy of Fallot showed good results with normal life expectancy for the patients.