SURVIVAL CLINICAL-RESULTS UP TO 26 YEARS AFTER AND REPAIR OF TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Repair of tetralogy of Fallot was performed on 165 patients (median ag e 7 years, range 4 months-54 years) in 1966-1976. The 30-day mortality rate was 15%. High postrepair right ventricular/left ventricular pres sure ratio (P-RV/LV) was a predictor of early mortality. Complete atri oventricular block of varying duration, though associated with 42% of the early deaths, was not an independent risk factor in multivariate a nalysis. The 20-year survival rate (excluding early deaths) was 84%. R eoperation was done in ten patients. Of the 16 late deaths, eight were sudden. Old age at repair and use of transannular patch correlated wi th risk of late death. Complete atrioventricular block, acyanosis, yea r of surgery, sex and P-RV/LV did not significantly influence long-ter m survival. Follow-up (median 19, range 13-26, years) comprised 110 su rvivors, 95% of whom were asymptomatic, 77% in employment, 65% had par ticipated in school athletics and 58% regularly exercised, but 40% did not have regular medical examinations. Operation at age 3-5 years had the most favourable prognosis.