Syncope in a pregnant woman with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: a case report

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the most widespread cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD), which can be successfully repaired in the neonatal period. However, residual problems and the surgical technique itself can create a favourable basis for arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities in these patients. Sometimes, these arrhythmias may worsen during pregnancy and require urgent intervention.

This is a case of a 25-year-old woman, who underwent a surgical repair of TOF at the age of 2 years. She suffered an ischaemic stroke postoperatively, which was complicated with secondary seizures and syncope. These episodes were evaluated as epilepsy. The patient was admitted to our hospital with the above-mentioned complaints in the 10th week of pregnancy. A comprehensive cardiac examination was performed. Her presyncopal event was captured during Holter monitoring, which documented a severe dysfunction of the sinus node. She was diagnosed with postoperative sick sinus syndrome and implanted with a permanent dual-chamber pacemaker (PM). After the operation, the patient did not have any episodes of syncope or seizures and the PM check-up showed almost 30% of atrial pacing.

No matter how obvious the neurological or other nature of syncope may seem, it is advised to exclude the cardiac origin of syncope, especially in patients with repaired CHD. One of the most common complications after surgery of CHD is rhythm and conduction disturbances. In some of these cases, permanent PM implantation can be unavoidable, even during pregnancy. The implantation of the PM device during pregnancy can be performed safely.