Tetralogy of Fallot: Multimodality Imaging and Key Historical Contributions to Diagnosis and Treatment

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the most common cyanotic congenital heart malformations, characterized by four pathological features: right ventricular outflow tract obstruction/pulmonic stenosis, a ventricular septal defect, an overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy. It was initially partially defined by Nicholas Steno in the 17th century and completely described by Étienne-Louis Arthur Fallot and Maude Abbott in the 19th and 20th centuries. The advances in multimodality imaging and innovative surgical and transcatheter techniques have led to advances in the management of TOF. While initial management in the mid-20th century favored palliative procedures in infancy followed by complete surgical repair, data now support an early complete surgical repair in infancy. The major post-repair complication is the development of significant pulmonary regurgitation, necessitating either surgical or transcatheter valve replacement. Multimodality imaging is essential to the initial identification of TOF, preoperative planning, and post-procedural complication assessment. In this review, we provide a historical perspective of the discovery and clinical management of TOF from the 1600s to the present day, as well as the role of multimodality imaging in TOF management.