The Effect of Pulmonary Valve Replacement (PVR) Surgery on Hemodynamics of Patients Who Underwent Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)

Introduction: Pulmonary insufficiency (PI) frequently develops in patients who underwent repair of tetralogy of fallot (TOF). The aim of present study was to assess the effect of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) on hemodynamics of patients who underwent repair of TOF.
Methods: This retrospective cohort carried out between July 2010 and October 2012 among consecutive PVRs of 19 patients who underwent TOF surgery. The PVRs was performed using bioprosthetic (n=17) and mechanical (n=2) valves. Our data was collected during follow up visits within 6 to 12 month after PVR.
Results: Our results show that PVR significantly decreased right ventricular end-diastolic volume (180.89±13.78 vs. 107.21±12.02 ml/m2, P < .01), right ventricular end-systolic volume (105.42±15.98 vs. 58.15±11.67 ml/m2, P < .01), RV mass (47.78±6.20 vs. 30.68±8.95 g/m2, P < .01), and PI (48.21±1.43% vs. 12.68±5.60%, P < .01). Moreover, left ventricular end-diastolic volume significantly increased (78.05±17.21 vs. 90.78±14.82 ml/m2, P < .01) after PVR. The other hemodynamics indexes did not change, significantly.
Conclusion: Despite the controversies about efficacy of PVR after repair of TOF, the remarkable improvement of hemodynamic is a supportive rationale for performing PVR surgery in TOF patients.