Association Between Tetralogy of Fallot and Tracheobronchial Branching Abnormalities: A New Clue for Pathogenesis?

In our practice, we noticed an increased frequency of tracheobronchial branching abnormalities (TBAs) in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (ToF). This study aimed to determine whether an association exists between congenital TBAs and ToF with or without pulmonary atresia.

The frequency of TBAs on chest computed tomography was assessed in 55 patients with ToF without pulmonary atresia, 34 patients with ToF with pulmonary arteria, and 100 control patients. We then looked for a possible association between TBAs and pulmonary artery branch hypoplasia, the presence of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries, and the presence of the chromosome 22q11 deletion. TBAs were significantly more frequent in patients with ToF with or without pulmonary atresia than in the control group (any TBAs, 21% versus 2% [P<0.001]; bronchial situs anomalies, 6% versus 0% [P=0.002]; right tracheal bronchus, 4% versus 0% [P=0.04]; left eparterial bronchus, 8% versus 0% [P=0.005]); and tended to be more frequent in those with ToF without pulmonary atresia than in those with ToF with pulmonary atresia (any TBAs, 27% versus 12% [P=0.11]; left eparterial bronchus, 13% versus 0% [P=0.04]). TBAs were readily multiple (8 patients of 19 with TBA) and concerned essentially the upper lobes. TBAs were not associated with pulmonary branch hypoplasia, major aortopulmonary collateral arteries, or the chromosome 22q11 deletion.

We demonstrated a significantly increased frequency of tracheobronchial abnormalities in patients with ToF with or without pulmonary atresia compared with a control group. These results suggest an interaction between abnormalities in conotruncal septation and tracheobronchial branching and may provide a new clue to the pathogenesis of conotruncal heart diseases.