The results of probe technique for transatrial repair of tetralogy of Fallot

OBJECTIVE: Total correction of classic tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) by transatrial approach has become a standard procedure with a principal theoretical aim of minimizing structural damage to the pulmonary pump. The most critical point in transatrial repair of TOF is infundibular dissection. Right atrial approach provides better surgical exposure for parietal extension of the infundibular septum when compared to a right ventricular approach. However, it is not always easy to determine the localization and amount of muscle bundles to be resected and this surgical maneuver requires experience. METHODS: Nineteen patients were reviewed who had repair of isolated TOF by this technique from 1993 to 2001. The mean age of patients was 5 +/- 2 years. Transatrial-transpulmonary approach was performed for all patients. To make the infundibular muscle-bundle resection easier and to determine the localization and amount of muscle bundle to be resected, we placed a Hegar dilator into the right ventricle through pulmonary arteriotomy. The muscle bundles between the dilator and the anterior leaflet annulus of the tricuspid valve were totally excised until the intraventricular part of the dilator and pulmonary annulus became completely visible. The area between the Hegar dilator and the margins of the ventricular septal defect (VSD) was left untouched. None of the patients had transannular patch. Tricuspid valve detachment in order to improve the exposure was done in 11 patients. All patients were followed up in our clinic at regular six-month intervals by echocardiography. RESULTS: There was no early or late mortality nor reoperation for residual VSD or residual right ventricle (RV) outflow obstruction. All patients were in NYHA class I. RV on the echocardiography was spared late dilatation and had a good late functional status. Eighteen patients had no or mild pulmonary regurgitation. One patient who had undergone tricuspid anterior leaflet detachment showed mild tricuspid insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of hemodynamic outcomes, this procedure for elective repair of TOF in selected cases gives excellent early and mid-term results.     

Early results after transatrial/transpulmonary repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

OBJECTIVES: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Transatrial/transpulmonary repair avoids a ventriculotomy (in contrast to the transventricular approach) emphasizing maximal preservation of RV structure and function. We have adopted this technique as less traumatic for the right ventricle. This study evaluates the early surgical results of our approach. METHODS: Between September 1997 and July 2001, 110 consecutive patients with TOF were referred to our unit for surgical therapy. Of these, 14 were unsuitable for repair and underwent aortopulmonary shunting+/-pulmonary artery patching. In the remaining 96 patients (median age 1.4 years), complete transatrial/transpulmonary repair was performed. Previously placed shunts (ten patients) were taken down and any secondary stenoses or branch pulmonary artery distortion repaired. In all cases, subpulmonary resection and ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure were accomplished transatrially. Whenever pulmonary valvotomy and valve ring widening were necessary, it was achieved through a pulmonary arteriotomy. In 84 patients the main pulmonary artery was augmented with an autologous pericardial patch, and in 23 the patch was extended to pulmonary artery branch(es). A limited (<1cm ) or extended (>1cm, but 相似文献   

An alternative technique for intracardiac exposure during transatrial repair of tetralogy of fallot

The commonly used technique to facilitate intracardiac exposure during transatrial repair of tetralogy of fallot involves considerable retraction of the tricuspid valve using retractors. We describe an alternative surgical technique in which it is possible to dispense away with the retractors. The advantages of such a technique are discussed.     

Complete atrioventricular septal defect associated with tetralogy of Fallot. Favourable outcome of transatrial transpulmonary repair

BACKGROUND: Complete correction of atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) associated with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) has been reported to account for an increased surgical risk. Impaired right ventricular function after classic transventricular repair, residual outflow tract stenosis, and incompetence of the pulmonary or atrioventricular valves are considered to be essential factors affecting the results. METHODS: From 3/95 to 6/98 six consecutive patients with AVSD and TOF underwent repair (age 18 months to 7.3 years) using a combined transatrial-transpulmonary approach. RV outflow tract balloon dilatation preceded transatrial correction in 4 patients. Pulmonary annulotomy but not transanular patching was necessary in 4 cases. The septal defects were closed by two separate patches using a Dacron patch with short depth and anterior extension for the ventricular component. RESULTS: All patients survived and had stable sinus rhythm. Echocardiography demonstrated mild, but hemodynamically insignificant mitral regurgitation in two and tricuspid regurgitation in four patients. Right ventricle to pulmonary artery gradients ranged from 5 to 35 mmHg (mean 24.2 mmHg) without progression. During follow-up ranging from 4 months to 3.5 years (mean 16.8 months) no reoperation was necessary. CONCLUSIONS: The transatrial-transpulmonary approach for correction of AVSD with TOF contributes to improved results after repair of this rare combination of defects.     

The relief of pulmonary stenosis by a transatrial versus a transventricular approach to the repair of tetralogy of Fallot

The ratio of peak pressure in the right ventricle to that in the left ventricle (PRV/LV) in the operating room thirty minutes after repair of tetralogy of Fallot by an atrial approach, with or without a concomitant transatrial approach, was 0.58 +/- 0.217. It was 0.52 +/- 0.158 when repair was through a right ventricular approach (p for difference = 0.16). This ratio 18 to 24 hours postoperatively was 0.49 +/- 0.148 and 0.45 +/- 0.121 for the right atrial and right ventricular approaches, respectively. The reduction in PRV/LV between the two observations was -0.09 +/- 0.147 for the right atrial and -0.07 +/- 0.110 for the right ventricular approach (p for difference = 0.4). Therefore, the predictive rules for placing a transannular patch, rules derived from patients in whom the right ventricular approach was used and depending in part on the fall in PRV/LV during the first 24 hours after operation, are also applicable to patients in whom an atrial approach, with or without a transpulmonary approach, is used.     

Slicing technique of the RV outflow tract in transatrial-transpulmonary repair for tetralogy of Fallot

The relief of a right ventricular outflow tract obstruction is a crucial step to successful transatrial-transpulmonary repair for tetralogy of Fallot. We here describe our technique for achieving good effective relief of a right ventricular outflow tract obstruction by slicing the wall without right ventriculotomy or with minimum transannular right ventriculotomy if necessary. The right ventricular outflow tract can be widely opened by slicing the inner half of the wall both through the tricuspid valve and the pulmonary valve. This procedure can be performed safely and effectively by detecting structural differences between the inner and outer half of the right ventricular wall, the former coarse and the latter dense.     

Transatrial-transpulmonary repair of tetralogy of Fallot

Classical tetralogy of Fallot was repaired by a transatrial-transpulmonary approach in 61 of 70 patients treated surgically on one surgical service between July 1981 and December 1985. Their ages ranged from 2.5 months to 57 years (mean 52.9 +/- 104.2 months). The ventricular septal defect was closed through the right atrium and tricuspid valve in 60 patients and via the pulmonary artery in one patient with a subpulmonary defect. A pulmonary arteriotomy was made in 38 patients to expose the stenotic pulmonary valve for valvotomy and to begin the infundibular mobilization and resection. It was extended through a small pulmonary anulus primarily in 15 patients and secondarily in one, a minimal distance upon the right ventricular infundibulum to enlarge the outflow tract to 2 standard deviations larger than the mean normal pulmonary valve anulus diameter. There were no hospital or late deaths or reoperations among the entire group. The mean postrepair peak right ventricular/left ventricular pressure measured in the operating room was 0.52 +/- 0.165 for the entire group of 61 patients which indicates similar relief of pulmonary stenosis to that obtained by the classical transventricular repair. At follow-up between 2.3 and 53.8 months (mean 22.6) each patient was in New York Heart Association Class I and without cardiac medication. Postoperative cardiac catheterization studies performed in nine patients between 4 and 28 months after operation showed no residual ventricular septal defects and a mean peak right/left ventricular pressure of 0.42 +/- 0.13. This series indicates that successful repair of tetralogy of Fallot can be accomplished in most patients by a transatrial-transpulmonary approach, which may provide improved right ventricular function over the long term.     

Conotruncal repair of tetralogy of Fallot

A repair within the conotruncal portion of the right ventricle is introduced. It was used for the intracardiac repair of 30 consecutive patients with tetralogy of Fallot. The infundibular septum was totally resected to reduce the muscular outflow stenosis. Short patch infundibuloplasty with a large monocusp was then used. Instead of the tricuspid septal leaflet, the membranous flap was employed as the suture line for patching the ventricular septal defect (VSD) to avoid a conduction disturbance, residual VSD, and fixing of the tricuspid septal leaflet. The right ventricular (RV) to systemic arterial pressure ratio was 50.0 +/- 14.6% (N = 26) and right atrial pressure was 9.0 +/- 2.5 mm Hg (N = 26) one month after operation. RV end-diastolic volume was 93.0 +/- 30.5% of normal (N = 15) before operation and 96.7 +/- 29.0% of normal one month after operation in the same patients. These data suggest that a conotruncal repair can maintain good RV function with low right atrial pressure and with no increase of RV volume.     

Results of complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot in 156 consecutive patients.

Between 1958 and 1974 156 patients underwent repair of tetralogy of Fallot, with a 6 per cent mortality since 1969. Our experience indicates that Waterston shunts should be reserved for infants less than four months of age, Blalock-Taussig shunts should be used in patients from four months to three years of age, and correction should be carried out in patients older than three years.     

Early primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot

Young age, low weight, and the requirement for transannular patch reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) are thought to adversely affect intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Forty patients underwent complete repair between January, 1984, and January, 1987. Only infants with pulmonary atresia, complete atrioventricular canal, or coronary artery anomalies were shunted initially. The malalignment ventricular septal defect was closed with a Dacron patch. Infundibular resection was minimized. All atrial communications were left open. Thirty-four patients (85%) had a transannular RVOT patch, and 2 patients (5%) had a nontransannular patch. All 10 infants weighing 3.4 to 9.6 kg had a transannular RVOT patch at 7 weeks to 12 months of age. An RVOT patch was used in 26 of 30 children operated on between 1 and 6 years of age (median age, 24 months). No patient undergoing intracardiac repair died. Postoperative RVOT pullback gradients were between 0 and 35 mm Hg (mean, 18.5 mm Hg). Postoperative pulmonary artery saturation (mean, 73%) did not reveal any residual ventricular septal defect. The right ventricular/arterial pressure ratio was always less than 0.6 (mean, 0.4). All children are doing well at follow-up from two to 37 months. Serial echocardiograms reveal no residual ventricular septal defect and only 1 moderate RVOT gradient. Follow-up cardiac catheterization in 15 patients revealed no residual ventricular septal defect and RVOT gradients between 5 and 35 mm Hg. The right ventricular/left ventricular pressure ratio was always less than 0.6 (mean, 0.48). The early and late results justify continued primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot in symptomatic children, regardless of age or weight.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Follow-up of tetralogy of Fallot after repair

Repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) exists for more than 40 years. This repair results in a pulmonary regurgitation, which is usually well tolerated for two decades or so, but eventually this is injurious for the right ventricle (RV). The RV enlargement and severe RV dysfunction increase risk for ventricular tachycardia (VT) and sudden death in the long-term. The pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is shifting earlier to preserve RV function before patients develop symptoms. Several parameters have to be considered to facilate correct timing for PVR (surgically of by catheterization)?: echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, electrocardiogram and cardiopulmonary exercise. All patients should have regular follow-up in a specialized grown-up congenital heart disease (GUCH) center to detect as soon as possible pathological signs of RV enlargement. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation for primary prevention and programmed ventricular stimulation in repaired TOF remain controversal.     

Total intracardiac repair for tetralogy of Fallot in adults

The anatomic and clinical features of 47 patients who were 18 years of age or older at the time of total intracardiac repair for tetralogy of Fallot are reviewed. Twenty (43%) patients had had previous palliative surgery. Of 14 pulmonary-systemic shunts, 9 (64%) remained patent. The location of the ventricular septal defect was infracristal in 90% of patients. The predominant right ventricular outflow tract obstruction was at the infundibulum in 30%; another 64% of patients had combined valvular and infundibular obstruction. Total intracardiac repair was achieved; hospital mortality was 8.5%. Morbidity was minor, and hemorrhage was a significant problem in only 2 patients. Thirty-five patients have been followed from 11 months to 15 years after surgery. There were 4 late deaths; the actuarial 10-year survival rate was 82%.