Tetralogy of Fallot

In early infancy, babies with TOF may need a procedure to temporarily increase blood flow to the lung (Blalock-Taussig shunt). Total surgical repair will be done later when the baby is older. In adulthood, there may be residual obstruction from the thick muscle in the right heart chambers or from the narrowed pulmonary valve. Sometimes, the pulmonary valve may become leaky (does not close properly) after the initial childhood repair. Thus, further intervention (pulmonary valve replacement) may be necessary during adulthood.

Options for pulmonary valve replacement are surgical replacement or percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation. You may be suitable for percutaneous pulmonary valve implant if you have a previous pulmonary valve replacement or conduit. Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI), also referred to as transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation, is a minimally invasive procedure to correct severe pulmonary valve and conduit stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leaking). This procedure is performed in the invasive cardiovascular laboratory. You will be given a general anaesthetic (GA) by a qualified anaesthetist. You will lie on an X-ray table and an X-ray camera will move over your chest during the procedure.

You may need to take medicine after your operation to strengthen your heart muscle contraction and to control any abnormal heart rhythm. There are various tests that may be required during follow-up appointment before decisions can be made on the need and the timing of further procedures or operations.