Late homograft valve insertion after transannular patch repair of tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: Transannular patch repair of tetralogy of Fallot leads to pulmonary insufficiency and progressive right ventricular dilatation responsible for a decreased exercise capacity. We studied the impact of late homograft insertion on the regression of the right ventricular volumes in symptomatic patients. METHODS: Between July 1992 and August 1996, 15 consecutive patients (age range: 4 to 24 years) were operated on at a median of 13 years (range: 3 to 20 years) after transannular patch repair of tetralogy of Fallot. All patients complained of exertional dyspnea and fatigue. Syncopes were reported in six patients and four patients had sustained episodes of ventricul..