Abstract
An analysis of the postoperative course in twenty-eight patients who had complete correction of tetralogy of Fallot is presented. Pertinent preoperative findings are summarized and the operative procedure is briefly described. During or following surgery, seven patients had a syndrome of low cardiac output, which was lethal in four. Factors which may have contributed to the development of this state are discussed. The operative mortality rate was 14 per cent. One patient died during re-operation for persistence of the ventricular septal defect; the over-all mortality rate was 18 per cent. Congestive heart failure developed in 42 per cent of surviving patients. This was transient in some and had a more protracted course in others. All patients recovered and late improvement was impressive. Possible mechanisms for this incidence of heart failure are presented. The ultimate result from surgery was considered excellent in the majority of cases. It is concluded that total correction is feasible in most patients with tetralogy of Fallot, with an acceptable surgical mortality.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 358-368 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | The American journal of cardiology |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1961 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine