Reoperations in adults after correction of tetralogy of Fallot.

Adults with congenital heart diseases are an increasing patient population. Since the first successful palliative procedure in 1945 (Blalock and Tausing, JAMA 128: 189–194, 1945) and first corrective operation in 1955 (Lillehei et al., Ann Surg 142: 418, 1955) patients with Tetralogy of Fallot, which is the most common cyanotic CHD, have had excellent long term results and good quality of life. Over the long term, these patients are under risk of sudden death because of arrhythmias and congestive heart disease caused by tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary regurgitation, ventricular septal defect, right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.