Tetralogy of Fallot: Angiocardiographic, electrocardiographic, vectorcardiographic and hemodynamic studies of the Fallot-type complex

Abstract Clinical, angiocardiographic, electrocardiographic, vectorcardiographic and hemodynamic data concerning patients with tetralogy of Fallot showed that the tetralogy of Fallot must be regarded as a part of a large “spectrum” syndrome (the complex of the Fallot type) which includes the following six groups: (1) classic tetralogy of Fallot; (2) extreme tetralogy of Fallot; (3) acyanotic tetralogy of Fallot; (4) stenosis of the outflow tract of the right ventricle or pulmonary stenosis with interventricular septal defect and no overriding of the aorta; (5) partial transposition of the great vessels with stenosis of the outflow tract of the right ventricle or pulmonary stenosis and interventricular septal defect; (6) single ventricle with pulmonary stenosis. There is a common anatomic denominator: the existence of interventricular septal defect and stenosis of the right ventricular outflow tract or pulmonary stenosis. The groups differ from one another only in the anatomico-functional interrelations of these two factors. The third factor (aortic overriding) may be absent. All groups show a comparable clinical and pathophysiologic picture. This report shows the results of the angiocardiographic, electrocardiographic, vectorcardiographic and hemodynamic studies in patients included in each group of the complex of the Fallot type which illustrate the respective pathophysiologic features.