From October, 1987 to December, 1995, nine patients underwent total correction of tetralogy of Fallot in adults over 20 years of age. There were 5 male and 4 female patients aged from 22 to 42 years(mean, 29.6 years). Three patients were in New
York
Heart Association(NYHA) functional class II, and 6 patients in class III. The hemoglobin values ranged from 10.8 to 20.7gm/㎗(average, 15.6gm/㎗). The preoperative clinical features were as follows: cyanosis, 8 patients; dyspnea on exertion, 6
patients;
clubbing of fingers, 5 patients; frequent upper respiratory infection, 3 patients.
At the operation both infundibular and valvular stenosis were present in all patients. Reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract(RVOT) using Goretex was required in 7 patients, and transannular patching with Goretex in 2 pateints. Left
pulmonary
angioplasty with pericardium was done in 2 patients.
No hospital deaths occurred. Four of 9 patients(44.4%) had postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, and postoperative bleeding in 5. One patient required reoperation due to residual ventricular septal defect and tricuspid regurgitation 3 months
after
the first operation. The mean follow-up period was 25 months, range ll to 77 months. All was asymptomatic and in NYHA class I We suggest that advanced age is not contraindication to surgery in tetralogy of Fallot, and tetralogy of Fallot in
adults
could
be operated on due to low mortality.
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