[Long-term results after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot]

One hundred sixty-two patients underwent total correction of tetralogy of Fallot from 1962 to 1979. 130 of these were hospital survivors. We studied the current status of the hospital survivors by questionnaires which were sent to 93 patients. An excellent long-term result was maintained by 87.3% of the 63 hospital survivors who answered to the questionnaires. Although there was a trend toward a higher incidence of symptoms in patients with a higher late postoperative RV/LV pressure ratio and in patients with older age at repair, it did not reach statistical significance. Six patients in this series have undergone reoperation. The most common cardiac problem which required reoperation was residual of the VSD. There was one late sudden death postoperatively. The RV/LV pressure ratio of the patient was 0.7 and the electrocardiogram at rest showed no abnormality except CRBBB. The ventricular dysarrhythmia was supposed as the cause of sudden death. The patients who underwent total correction of tetralogy of Fallot should be followed up by exercise ECG or 24 hours electrocardiographic monitoring.