Determination of Tetralogy of Fallot Characteristics in Iranian Patients

Background- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the most common forms of cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study is determination of demography, associated anomalies, peripheral pulmonary stenosis (PPS), blood group, Rh type, operation results and complications in TOF. Methods- The records of 270 patients were reviewed. These patients had been admitted during 10 years (from 1993 to 2003). Results- 60.37% of patients were male and 39.63% were female. Incidence of patent foramen ovale (PFO), right aortic arch (RAA), coronary artery (CA) anomalies and other anomalies were 44.81%, 21.11%, 9.25% and 36.30%, respectively. Single ostium coronary artery (SOCA) was the most CA anomaly. The most common PPS was bifurcation stenosis. TOF was more common in blood group O patients. The mean age at the first palliative operation was 5.21 years and for total correction (TC), it was 7.19 years. Postsurgical mortality rate was about 3% and morbidity rate was 12.18% (excluding right bundle branch block, RBBB).Conclusion- The trend toward earlier total correction and single stage early total correction of TOF should be recommended as the preferred management strategy (Iranian Heart Journal 2007; 8 (3): 21-26).