Abstract
Background: Pulmonary regurgitation is the most common complication following complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot. There are reports in favor of using valved transannular patch to decrease pulmonary regurgitation.
Methods: All medical records of totally corrected tetralogy of Fallot patients in our center were interrogated. Those accepted to participate in the study were assessed by conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiographies. We compared pulmonary regurgitation and right ventriclular myocardial performance index, dividing the patients into 3 groups: repair by monocuspid polytetrafluoroethylene valved transannular patch, subannular patch and simple transannular patch methods.
Results: From a total of 123 patients in the hospital records, 58 were participated in the study (28 monocuspid, 15 subannular, 15 simple transannular). Average age at total repair was comparable between monocuspid and subannular groups but it was higher in simple transannular group. Pulmonary insufficiency was significantly higher in transannular patch group. Right ventriclular myocardial performance index was comparable between the 3 groups. Thirty five percent of monocuspid valves had malfunction during the follow up.
Conclusion: Monocuspid valve may prevent development of pulmonary insufficiency and preserve RV function in short-term. However, its impact on the performance of the right ventricle in long-term is unknown.