Evolving strategies for preserving the pulmonary valve during early repair of tetralogy of Fallot: Mid-term results

Background The aim of the study was to evaluate our results with pulmonary valve (PV) preservation in selected patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Methods From January 2007, 69 patients who underwent early transatrial TOF repair were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: PV preservation by PV annulus balloon dilation (group 1) and PV cusp reconstruction after annular incision (group 2). Results Thirty-four patients underwent a successful PV annular preservation (49%). Median age at surgery was 113 days (range, 36-521 days) (group-1 vs group-2, P = not significant). Median preoperative PV Z score was -3.15 (range, -0.95 to -5.62) (group-1 vs group-2, P =.03). Median intensive care unit and hospital stays were 3 and 10 days, respectively (group 1 vs group 2, P = not significant). Median follow-up time was 580 days (range, 189-1940 days) (group 1 vs group 2, P =.08). Two patients were reoperated for residual right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction (1 in group 1 and 1 in group 2). The remaining patients are alive and well. Median peak RVOT gradient was 25 mm Hg (range, 8-60 mm Hg) (group 1 vs group 2, P = not significant). The degree of PV regurgitation in group 1 was none/mild in 24 patients (80%) and moderate in 6 (20%) and was none/mild in 8 patients (25%), moderate in 11 (34.4%), and severe in 13 (28.6%) in group 2 (P =.001). Median right ventricular fractional area change was 55% (range, 42%-70%) in group 1 and 50% (range, 40%-63%) in group 2 (P =.003). Conclusions The integrity and function of the PV can be preserved in selected patients during early repair of TOF by concomitant balloon dilation, leading to a better mid-term right ventricular function. Copyright © 2014 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery.