Right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction for pulmonary regurgitation after repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary regurgitation after tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) repair is associated with right ventricular dilatation, failure and arrhythmia. Timing and technique for re-intervention remain controversial.

METHODS: Our recent approach is to reconstruct the dilated right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT) as a fibro-muscular sleeve to support a pulmonary homograft valve conduit in orthotopic position. Indication is based on clinical and magnetic resonance (MR) criteria. We reviewed all patients who underwent RVOT reconstruction between January 2004 and February 2005. There were seven children (mean age 14+/-2 years) operated 13+/-2 years after ToF repair, and 12 adults (mean age 30+/-15 years) operated 23+/-10 years after ToF repair. Exercise testing and MR evaluation prior to surgery and at 1 year postoperative follow-up were compared.

RESULTS: There was no operative mortality. At 1 year, pulmonary regurgitation was mild or less in 16/19 patients. Right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic (158+/-51 to 103+/-36ml/m(2), p<0.001) and end-systolic volumes (85+/-42 to 49+/-24ml/m(2), p=0.001) fell significantly. Importantly, effective RV stroke volume (43+/-10 to 48+/-7ml/m(2), p=0.019) and left ventricular (LV) stroke volume (43+/-7 to 47+/-7ml/m(2), p=0.009) increased significantly. The mean RV/LV end-diastolic volume ratio fell markedly in both children and adults (2.22+/-0.62 to 1.38+/-0.52). However, no improvement in maximal VO(2) on exercise was noted in either group.

CONCLUSIONS: RVOT reconstruction restored valve function, improved RV dimensions and left and right stroke volumes. Maximal exercise capacity did not improve in either children or adults.