Total correction of tetralogy of Fallot in the first year of life: Late results

Background. Correction of tetralogy of Fallot in patients less than 1 year of age offers the advantage of a more normal development; but in the majority of cases exposes the patient to the possibly of a higher mortality with one-stage primary repair, and to the long-term effects of a transannular patch, which is often necessary. Methods. A retrospective review of total correction of tetralogy of Fallot performed in 63 consecutive patients at less than I year of age was made. Risk factors for operative mortality and functional status at follow-up were analyzed. Follow-up was obtained from clinic appointments and telephone questionnaires. Results. The operative mortality was 6%, with three late deaths. Aortic cross-clamp time more than 60 minutes (P = 0.023), cardiopulmonary bypass time more than 90 minutes (p = 0.016), and frequent preoperative respiratory tract infection symptoms (p = 0.008) affected operative survival; whereas age less than 3.0 months or weight less than 6.0 kg did not. Mean follow-up is 11.6 years (+/-0.6 years, standard error). Actuarial survival is 89% (+/-4%) and freedom from reoperation is 96% (+/-4%) at up to 20 years after correction. Eighty-seven percent of patients have normal echocardiographic right ventricular function. Only 4 patients have greater than moderate pulmonary regurgitation by echocardiography. Three of these four patients are asymptomatic. At more than 15 years postoperatively, 88% of patients have good-to-excellent functional status. Conclusions. Early correction of tetralogy of Fallot at less than 1 year of age can have a low operative mortality and provide excellent asymptomatic long-term survival. (C) 2002 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.