Volume of the left ventricle in tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract

Left ventricular volumes were measured by the angiocardiographic technic in 25 patients with tetralogy of Fallot, of whom 6 had a Potts or Blalock-Taussig anastomotic operation and 5 had complete repair of the defect. In 12 of the 14 patients who underwent no surgical procedure, the left ventricular volume was in the low normal range; the 2 others (with severe forms of tetralogy of Fallot) had significantly reduced end-diastolic volumes. In patients who had an anastomotic operation, the ventricular volumes were considerably increased if the left to right flow was large enough to cause symptoms; in the others they were in the normal range. Approximately two weeks after complete repair, the mean left ventricular volume was less than that for patients not operated upon. Significant aorticopulmonary collateral flow and some flow directly from the right to the left ventricle contribute to the normal volumes of the left ventricle in tetralogy of Fallot. Left ventricular myocardial function (as evidenced by ejection fraction) is significantly better after complete repair than it is in patients not operated upon or in patients treated by an anastomotic operation.