The immediate results of the radical correction of the tetralogy of Fallot in adults

: In the period from 1982 to 1991, 74 radical corrections of tetralogy of Fallot were carried out on patients 18 to 40 years of age. In 37 of them the correction was preceded by various palliative interventions. The course of the disease was distinguished by a lesser frequency of episodes with dyspnea and marked cyanosis than in the younger age group (up to 18 years). The radical correction of the anomaly included only infundibulectomy in 7% of cases, infundibulectomy and plastic distention of the outflow tract of the right ventricle in 28%, while in 65% of cases reconstruction of the pulmonary trunk or its branches was conducted in addition. The hospital mortality was 9.3% and did not differ essentially from that in the younger age group. Mortality was somewhat higher in primary correction of tetralogy of Fallot than after earlier performed palliative interventions (10.8 and 8%, respectively). It is concluded that the patients' age is not a contraindication for radical correction of tetralogy of Fallot.