cardiology careers collections past issues search home
     

J Am Coll Cardiol, 2000; 36:1670-1675
© 2000 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Figures Only
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Therrien, J.
Right arrow Articles by Webb, G. D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Therrien, J.
Right arrow Articles by Webb, G. D.

CLINICAL STUDY

Pulmonary valve replacement in adults late after repair of tetralogy of Fallot: are we operating too late?

Judith Therrien, MD, FRCP(C)a, Samuel C. Siu, MD, FRCP(C)a, Peter R. McLaughlin, MD, FRCP(C)a, Peter P. Liu, MD, FRCP(C)a, William G. Williams, MD, FRCS(C)a and Gary D. Webb, MD, FRCP(C)a

a University of Toronto Congenital Cardiac Center for Adults, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Manuscript received September 20, 1999; revised manuscript received April 17, 2000, accepted June 16, 2000.

Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Judith Therrien, The Sir Mortimer B Davis Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Cote Ste Catherine, Room E-206, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1E2, Canada


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Survival
 Discussion
 RNA
 Exercise capacity
 Clinical implications
 Study limitations
 Conclusions
 References
 
OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to evaluate right ventricular (RV) volume and function after pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) and to address the issue of optimal surgical timing in these patients.

BACKGROUND

Chronic pulmonary regurgitation (PR) following repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) leads to RV dilation and an increased incidence of sudden cardiac death in adult patients.

METHODS

We studied 25 consecutive adult patients who underwent PVR for significant PR late after repair of TOF. Radionuclide angiography was performed in all at a mean of 8.2 months (± 8 months) before PVR and repeated at a mean of 28.0 months (± 22.8 months) after the operation. Right ventricular (RV) end-systolic volume (RVESV), RV end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) and RV ejection fraction (RVEF) were measured.

RESULTS

Mean RVEDV, RVESV and RVEF remained unchanged after PVR (227.1 ml versus 214.9 ml, p = 0.74; 157.4 ml versus 155.4 ml, p = 0.94; 35.6% versus 34.7%, p = 0.78, respectively). Of the 10 patients with RVEF ≥ 0.40 before PVR, 5 patients (50%) maintained a RVEF ≥ 0.40 following PVR, whereas only 2 out of 15 patients (13%) with pre-operative values <0.40 reached an RVEF ≥ 0.40 postoperatively (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Right ventricular recovery following PVR for chronic significant pulmonary regurgitation after repair of TOF may be compromised in the adult population. In order to maintain adequate RV contractility, pulmonary valve implant in these patients should be considered before RV function deteriorates.

Abbreviations and Acronyms
  LV = left ventricular, left ventricle
  MRI = magnetic resonance imaging
  PR = pulmonary regurgitation
  PVR = pulmonary valve replacement
  RNA = radionuclide angiography, radionuclide angiogram
  RV = right ventricular, right ventricle
  RVEDV = right ventricular end-diastolic volume
  RVEF = right ventricular ejection fraction
  RVESV = right ventricular end-systolic volume
  RVOT = right ventricular outflow tract
  TOF = Tetralogy of Fallot


The hemodynamic effect of long-term left-sided valvular regurgitation on its recipient chamber is manifest by progressive left ventricular (LV) dilation with preserved ejection fraction until irreversible LV pump failure supervenes (1). The prognosis of medically treated patients with severe, chronic aortic regurgitation is dismal when the condition is associated with symptoms, atrial fibrillation, progressive LV dilation or diminished LV contractility (2,3). The potential for reversibility of LV dysfunction following aortic valve replacement depends on pre-operative LV function and dimension (4–8). Consequently, timing of surgical intervention in such patients, before irreversible contractile impairment and pump dysfunction supervene, is the essence of the decision-making process (4–8). Chronic, isolated severe pulmonary regurgitation (PR) has been shown to result in right ventricular (RV) dilation (9–11). In adults with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and chronic PR, RV dilation has been shown to correlate with an increased incidence of sudden cardiac death (12,13). Little is known, however, of the fate of the RV after pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in such patients (14–16). The reversible nature of RV dysfunction remains to be established in these adults, and the issue of optimal timing for PVR needs to be addressed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate consecutive patients with PVR and to determine their outcome in reference to pre-operative status.


    Materials and methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Survival
 Discussion
 RNA
 Exercise capacity
 Clinical implications
 Study limitations
 Conclusions
 References
 
Patient population.   We conducted a retrospective study evaluating all consecutive patients older than 18 years of age who underwent PVR for PR late after repair of TOF and selected all patients that had a routine rest and exercise radionuclide angiogram (RNA) test performed at the University of Toronto Congenital Cardiac Center for Adults before and after PVR. We reviewed and recorded surgical data including initial palliative procedures, details of repair and PVR. Clinical status of patients before and after PVR was ascertained from hospital records. Clinical arrhythmia was defined as: 1) sustained atrial flutter/fibrillation or sustained ventricular tachycardia documented on a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter recording and electrocardiographic strips or 2) palpitations associated with syncope or near syncope in patients subsequently found to have sustained atrial flutter/fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia at electrophysiological testing. Sustained arrhythmia was defined as arrhythmia lasting >30 s or of any length if associated with symptoms other than palpitations.

Echocardiographic analysis.   Pre-operative and postoperative (most recent) two-dimensional color Doppler and M-mode echocardiogram reports were reviewed on each patient. The severity of PR was assessed by pulse-wave Doppler characteristics and color flow mapping as previously described (17) and was graded as mild, moderate or severe. Tricuspid regurgitation was also assessed according to standard technique. Right ventricular dilation was estimated from RV inlet measurements, made at end-diastole from apical four-chamber views (18). Right ventricular enlargement was considered mild when the RV inlet measured between 40 mm and 50 mm; moderate, between 50 mm and 60 mm; and severe, >60 mm.

Surgical technique.   Pulmonary valve replacement was performed through a median sternotomy using standard cardiopulmonary bypass and mild systemic hypothermia (32° and 35°C) in all patients. Bioprosthetic pulmonary valves were sewn into the pulmonary annulus and covered with a patch of autologous pericardium. The pericardial patch extended from the pulmonary artery bifurcation onto the RV infundibulum.

Radionuclide angiogram.   Radionuclide angiogram was performed at rest and maximal exercise before and after PVR. The patients were radio-labeled with Tc-99m with standard technique, and the patient was imaged supine using the standard views, including the best septal view that optimized separation of the RV from surrounding structures, including the LV and the left atrium. Right ventricular end-systolic/-diastolic volume (RVESV/RVEDV) and ejection fraction were calculated using semi-automated edge detection algorithm by two experienced technologists who were unaware of the patient’s clinical status. A right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) ≥0.40 was considered normal (19). Exercise testing was performed on a Quinton bicycle with gradual increase in the workload every 3 min until exhaustion or symptom development.

Statistical analysis.   We analyzed the data using SPSS for Windows (version 7.0, SPSS, Chicago, Illinois). Descriptive data for continuous variables are presented as means ± SD or as medians with ranges, when appropriate. Discrete variables were analyzed by the chi-square or Fisher exact test. Continuous data were analyzed by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Pairwise analysis of continuous variables was performed using the Wilcoxon sign-rank test.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Survival
 Discussion
 RNA
 Exercise capacity
 Clinical implications
 Study limitations
 Conclusions
 References
 
Patient population.   Four hundred sixty-five patients had repaired TOF, of which 55 underwent PVR as adults. Twenty-five patients (14 male and 11 female) had undergone rest and exercise RNA before and after PVR. Routine RNA testing became standard practice at our institution only during the last five years, explaining the relatively small percentage. Seventeen patients (68%) had one or more palliative procedures prior to intracardiac repair, most commonly a Blalock–Taussig shunt (52%). Mean age at TOF repair was 12.1 years (±10.6 years, range 4 to 43 years). A trans-RV approach at the time of repair was used in all patients, and a transannular patch was used in 44% of the patients. Indications for PVR were significant pulmonary regurgitation with either 1) exercise intolerance, 2) progressive RV dilation (identified from serial transthoracic echocardiographic studies), or 3) clinical arrhythmia, with most patients (56%) fulfilling two or three criteria (Table 1). Incidence of clinical arrhythmia was 20% in our patients’ cohort. One patient had concomitant moderate/severe RV outflow tract obstruction (Doppler gradient >50 mm Hg).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 1 Demographic and Surgical Characteristics: Total Cohort of Patients

 
PVR.   Pulmonary valve replacement was performed at a mean age of 33.9 years (±9.2 years, range 19 to 53 years) with a mean time from repair to PVR of 21.8 years (±8.2 years, range 10 to 36 years). Most patients (96%) received a xenograft pulmonary valve, the size ranging from 25 to 33 mm. Additional procedures performed at the time of PVR are listed in Table 1. A total of three atrial and three ventricular cryoablations were performed concomitantly at the time of PVR on five patients with pre-operative arrhythmias.


    Survival
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Survival
 Discussion
 RNA
 Exercise capacity
 Clinical implications
 Study limitations
 Conclusions
 References
 
There was no peri-operative mortality. At the latest follow-up (mean follow-up time of 2.36 years, ±2.24 years) there was no late death.

Follow up clinical status.   Functional and echocardiographic data
Functional and echocardiographic data are shown in Table 2. At the latest follow-up (mean of 2.36 years), none of the patients was in functional class III-IV after PVR, compared with 24% before PVR (p < 0.001). Transthoracic echocardiography, performed at a mean of 1.9 years after PVR, showed a reduction in the incidence of moderate-to-severe pulmonary regurgitation as well as tricuspid regurgitation (100% vs. 0%, p < 0.001; 36% vs. 0%, p < 0.001, respectively).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 2 Clinical Electrocardiographic and Radionuclide Data Before and After PVR

 
Radionuclide angiogram
Results of the RNAs are shown in Table 2. Radionuclide angiograms were performed in all patients within a mean of 8.2 months (±8 months) prior to PVR and repeated at a mean of 28.0 months (±22.8 months) after the operation. Right ventricular function at rest ranged from 0.12 to 0.57 (mean 0.35 ± 0.13) before operation. Following PVR, RVEF did not change significantly (range 0.08 to 0.65, mean 0.34 ± 0.11, p = 0.78) (Fig. 1). Change in an individual’s RVEF compared with its own pre-operative value ranged widely, from 1.60 to –0.52, with a mean of 0.09 ± 0.55. Patients with right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) aneurysm had a mean pre-operative RVEF of 0.38 ± 0.13, compared with a mean pre-operative RVEF of 0.34 ± 0.12 in patients without RVOT aneurysm (p = 0.39). There was a mean change in RVEF of 0.05 ± 0.36 following concomitant RV aneurysm repair compared with a mean change in RVEF of 0.12 ± 0.65 in patients not needing concomitant aneurysmectomy (p = 0.79). Of the 10 patients (4 patients with RVOT aneurysm) with an RVEF ≥0.40 prior to PVR, 5 patients (50%) (3 patients with RVOT aneurysm) maintained an ejection fraction ≥0.40, whereas only 2 out of 15 patients (13%) with pre-operative values <0.40 reached an ejection fraction ≥0.40 postoperatively (p < 0.001).



View larger version (24K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1 Right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction at rest. Pre-PVR = before pulmonary valve replacement, Post-PVR = after pulmonary valve replacement.

 
Before the operation, RVESV at rest ranged from 42 ml to 449 ml (mean 157.4 ml ± 95.6) and did not change significantly after PVR (range 54 ml to 553 ml, mean 155.4 ml ± 125.9, p = 0.94) (Fig. 2). Similarly, after pulmonary valve implant, RVEDV did not change significantly (mean 227.1 ml ± 119 pre-operatively vs. mean 214.9 ml ± 138 postoperatively, p = 0.74) (Fig. 3).



View larger version (20K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2 Right ventricular (RV) end-systolic volume at rest. Pre-PVR = before pulmonary valve replacement, Post-PVR = after pulmonary valve replacement.

 


View larger version (19K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3 Right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volume at rest. Pre-PVR = before pulmonary valve replacement, Post-PVR = after pulmonary valve replacement.

 
Time interval between PVR and postoperative RNA had no impact on the results. Patients with improvement in RVEF, RVEDV and RVESV had their test done at a mean of 1.9 years, 2.4 years and 2.3 years after PVR, whereas patients showing deterioration in RVEF, RVEDV and RVESV had their test performed at a mean of 2.6 years, 2.3 years and 2.4 years after PVR (p = 0.36, 0.87 and 0.92, respectively).

Correlation between pre-operative echocardiographic findings and RNA was poor for judging hypokinesis (r = –0.47) as well as for quantifying RV dilation (r = 0.45). Similarly, there was no correlation between symptomatic improvement and amelioration of postoperative RV function (r = 0.1).

Exercise capacity
Measurement of exercise capacity did not reveal any significant improvement. The mean duration of exercise pre-operatively was 5.5 min ± 1.9 and 5.8 min ± 2.5 postoperatively (p = 0.38). Before PVR, patients achieved a mean maximal external workload (maximal heart rate x maximal systolic blood pressure) of 476 ± 182 compared with 440 ± 166 following PVR (p = 0.58) (Table 2).


    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Survival
 Discussion
 RNA
 Exercise capacity
 Clinical implications
 Study limitations
 Conclusions
 References
 
Pulmonary valve replacement in our study was performed successfully, with 0% mortality and no recurrence of significant PR at a mean follow up of 2.36 years. Subjective improvement in clinical symptoms was also recorded. Despite these seemingly encouraging results, however, our data demonstrate the lack of significant improvement in RV contractility and dimension following pulmonary valve implant in our adult cohort. Similarly, objective measures of exercise capacity failed to improve after surgery. The proportion of patients having a normal RV contractility postoperatively (ejection fraction ≥0.40) was significantly increased when pre-operative RVEF was ≥0.40 (p < 0.001).


    RNA
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Survival
 Discussion
 RNA
 Exercise capacity
 Clinical implications
 Study limitations
 Conclusions
 References
 
The effect of PVR on RV volume and contractility in children and adolescents with significant pulmonary regurgitation late after repaired TOF has been previously studied (14–16). Bove et al. (15) reported on eight such patients. Pulmonary valve replacement, performed at a mean age of 14.6 years, resulted in improvement in RVEF as measured by RNA and a diminution in RV end-diastolic dimension as measured by M-mode echocardiography. Subjective improvement in exercise tolerance was also recorded, but no objective assessment was performed (15). Warner et al. (16) reported on 16 patients undergoing PVR at a mean age of 12 years. They recorded a significant reduction of RV end-diastolic dimension as measured by M-mode echocardiography, and some improvement in objective exercise tolerance in six patients (16). A more recent study by d’Udekem et al. (14) on 15 patients who underwent PVR at a median age of 13 years, revealed no significant improvement in RV end-diastolic diameter when measured by RNA but found a significant decrease in the mean ratio between the end-diastolic diameter of the RV and LVs. Objective measurement of exercise capacity was not performed (14). The data reported from these studies differed from our findings. We believe that two factors are responsible for these differences.

Measurement of RV dimension by M-mode echocardiography as reported by Bove et al. (15) and Warner et al. (16) is highly dependent on image quality and cursor position. Furthermore, because of the complex geometry of the RV, the precision and reproducibility of such measurement is highly variable, and consequently, reported results should be interpreted with caution (20,21). Preliminary data from another study on 70 adults with repaired TOF undergoing PVR conducted at our center, showed a significant decrease in RV dimension after pulmonary valve implant transthoracic when assessed by echocardiography (22). Right ventricular dimension, taken from a four-chamber view, was in retrospect perhaps an over-simplified way to assess a complex 3D cavity such as the RV (23). With increasing experience, RNA for evaluation of RVEF and volume allows better detection and quantification of impaired RV function and dilation patients (24–27) and has gained widespread acceptance and application.

When RNA was used by d’Udekem et al. (14) and Bove et al. (15) to assess RV dimension and contractility after PVR, positive results were reported (14,15). The patient population reported by the previous authors, however, was significantly younger at the time of PVR when compared with our cohort of adult patients (mean of 13.0 years vs. 33.9 years, respectively). The potential for contractile recovery and ability of the RV to undergo remodeling after PVR may diminish over time. Perhaps the effect of chronic cyanosis (28), lack of adequate myocardial protection during cardiopulmonary bypass and direct myocardial damage from right ventriculotomy at the time of initial repair (29–31) may impair the ability of the aging RV to recover after pulmonary valve implant. Alternatively, one may argue that RV recovery is simply slower in the adult population. This, however, is rather unlikely considering that LV recovery has been shown to occur well within one year of surgery in adult patients undergoing left-sided valvular surgery for chronic regurgitant lesions (11,32).


    Exercise capacity
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Survival
 Discussion
 RNA
 Exercise capacity
 Clinical implications
 Study limitations
 Conclusions
 References
 
The improvement in clinical symptoms reported by us and others was not substantiated by objective measurement of maximal exercise capacity performed in our study. This may not come as a surprise, as the subjective symptoms may improve because of a decrease in pulmonary artery pulsatility and/or change in pulmonary compliance. Objective exercise improvement, however, is dependent on net change in forward cardiac output or change in peripheral muscle conditioning. Furthermore, exercise capacity has been shown to inversely correlate with RV dilation in patients with repaired TOF (33). Our exercise results do corroborate with our RV volumetric data.


    Clinical implications
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Survival
 Discussion
 RNA
 Exercise capacity
 Clinical implications
 Study limitations
 Conclusions
 References
 
Because RV dilation has been linked to the development of tachycardia and sudden cardiac death (12,13), it is imperative that we try to prevent or reverse the process of RV dilation in time. Our study would indicate that if one wishes to maintain a normal RVEF postoperatively, the optimal timing of PVR in the adult population may be before the RV function starts to deteriorate.


    Study limitations
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Survival
 Discussion
 RNA
 Exercise capacity
 Clinical implications
 Study limitations
 Conclusions
 References
 
Right ventricular size and contractility remain difficult to quantitate with precision because of the complex geometry. Despite its widespread use and acceptance, RNA has some limitations in the assessment of the RV (34). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now emerging as the gold standard technique to assess RV size and function (35,36), but data on RV function obtained with this technique were not available in our patients’ cohort. A second limitation is the retrospective nature of the data, which did not capture the entire data set. Potential referral biases cannot be excluded, although a wide range of ventricular dimension and performance was represented in our data set. Lastly, data on VO2 max would have been desirable for a more complete assessment of objective exercise capacity in our patients.


    Conclusions
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Survival
 Discussion
 RNA
 Exercise capacity
 Clinical implications
 Study limitations
 Conclusions
 References
 
The potential for RV recovery after PVR for chronic significant PR after repair of TOF may be compromised in the adult population. In order to maintain adequate RV contractility, pulmonary valve implant in these patients should be considered before RV dysfunction ensues. A multicenter prospective study including MRI and VO2 max measurements should be conducted, addressing the issue of optimal timing of PVR in this patient population.


    Footnotes
 
Supported by the Canadian Life and Manu Life Adult Congenital Heart Disease Fellowship


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and methods
 Results
 Survival
 Discussion
 RNA
 Exercise capacity
 Clinical implications
 Study limitations
 Conclusions
 References
 

  1. Ross J. Left ventricular function and the timing of surgical treatment in valvular heart disease. Ann Intern Med. 1981;94:498–504[Medline]
  2. Dujardin KS, Enriquez-Sarano M, Schaff HV, Bailey KR, Seward JB, Tajik AJ. Mortality and morbidity of aortic regurgitation in clinical practice: a long-term follow-up study. Circulation. 1999;99:1851–1857[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  3. Bonow RO, Lakatos E, Maron BJ, Epstein SE. Serial long-term assessment of the natural history of asymptomatic patients with chronic aortic regurgitation and normal left ventricular systolic function. Circulation. 1991;84:1625–1635[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  4. Bonow RO. Radionuclide angiography in the management of asymptomatic aortic regurgitation. Circulation. 1991;84:I296–I302
  5. Hwang MH, Hammermeister KE, Oprian C, et al. Preoperative identification of patients likely to have left ventricular dysfunction after aortic valve replacement. Participants in the Veterans Administration Cooperative Study on Valvular Heart Disease. Circulation. 1989;80:I65–I76
  6. Roman MJ, Klein L, Devereux RB, et al. Reversal of left ventricular dilatation, hypertrophy, and dysfunction by valve replacement in aortic regurgitation. Am Heart J. 1989;118:553–563[CrossRef][Medline]
  7. Jacques D, Delahaye JP, Gare JP, et al. Radionuclide ejection fraction at rest and in exercise in chronic aortic insufficiency. Pre- and postoperative study in asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic patients. Arch Mal Coeur Vais. 1995;88:1301–1306
  8. Carabello BA, Crawford FA Jr. Valvular heart disease. N Engl J Med. 1997;337:32–41[Free Full Text]
  9. Zahka KG, Horneffer PJ, Rowe SA, Neill CA, Manolio TA, Kidd L. Long-term valvular function after total repair of Tetralogy of Fallot: relation to ventricular arrhythmias. Circulation 1988;78(Suppl):III–14–9.
  10. Shimazaki Y, Blackstone EH, Kirklin JW. The natural history of isolated congenital pulmonary valve incompetence: surgical implications. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1984;32:257–259[Medline]
  11. Ebert PA. Second operations for pulmonary stenosis or insufficiency after repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Am J Cardiol. 1982;50:637–640[CrossRef][Medline]
  12. Marie PY, Marcon F, Brunotte F, et al. Right ventricular overload and induced sustained ventricular tachycardia in operatively "repaired" tetralogy of Fallot. Am J Cardiol. 1992;69:785–789[CrossRef][Medline]
  13. Gatzoulis MA, Till JA, Somerville J, Redington AN. Mechanoelectrical interaction in Tetralogy of Fallot: QRS prolongation relates to right ventricular size and predicts malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Circulation. 1995;92:231–237[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  14. d’Udekem Y, Rubay J, Shango-Lody P, et al. Late homograft valve insertion after transannular patch repair of Tetralogy of Fallot. J Heart Valve Dis. 1998;7:450–454[Medline]
  15. Bove EL, Kavey REW, Byrum CJ, Sondheimer HM, Blackman MS, Thomas FD. Improved right ventricular function following late pulmonary valve replacement for residual pulmonary insufficiency or stenosis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1985;90:50–55[Abstract]
  16. Warner KG, Anderson JE, Fulton DR, Payne DD, Geggel RL, Marx GR. Restoration of the pulmonary valve reduces right ventricular volume overload after previous repair of Tetralogy of Fallot. Circulation. 1993;88:189–197
  17. Goldberg SJ, Allen HD. Quantitative assessment of Doppler echocardiography of pulmonary or aortic regurgitation. Am J Cardiol. 1985;56:131–135[CrossRef][Medline]
  18. Foale R, Nihoyannopoulos P, McKenna W, et al. Echocardiographic measurement of normal adult right ventricle. Br Heart J. 1986;56:36
  19. Berger HJ, Matthay RA, Loke J, Marshall RC, Gottschalk A, Zaret BL. Assessment of cardiac performance with quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography: right ventricular ejection fraction with special reference to findings in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Cardiol. 1978;41:897–905[CrossRef][Medline]
  20. Popp R, Wolfe S, Hirata T, Feigenbaum H. Estimation of right and left ventricular size by ultrasound. Am J Cardiol. 1969;24:523–530[CrossRef][Medline]
  21. Solinger R, Eibi F, Minhas H. Deductive echocardiographic analysis in infants with congenital heart disease. Circulation. 1974;50:1072–1096[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  22. Therrien J, Siu SC, Harris L, et al. The fate of clinical arrhythmia following pulmonary valve replacement after repair of tetralogy of Fallot: a multicenter study. Can J Cardiol. 1999;15(Suppl D):347[Medline]
  23. Foale R, Nihoyannopoulos P, McKenna W, et al. Echocardiographic measurement of the normal adult right ventricle. Br Heart J. 1986;56:33–44[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  24. Xue Q, MacNee W, Flenley DC, Hannan WJ, Adie CJ, Muir AL. Can right ventricular performance be assessed by equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography? Thorax. 1983;38:486–493[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  25. Leitl GP, Buchanan JN, Wagner HN. Monitoring cardiac function with nuclear techniques. Am J Cardiol. 1980;46:1125–1132[CrossRef][Medline]
  26. Chin BB, Bloomgarden DC, Xia W, et al. Right and left ventricular volume and ejection fraction by tomographic gated blood-pool scintigraphy. J Nucl Med. 1997;38:942–948[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  27. Schulman DS. Assessment of the right ventricle with radionuclide techniques. J Nucl Cardiol. 1996;3:253–264[CrossRef][Medline]
  28. Krimsy LD. Pathologic anatomy of congenital heart disease. Circulation. 1965;32:814–827[Free Full Text]
  29. Dietl CA, Cazzaniga ME, Dubner SJ, Perez-Balino NA, Torrez AR, Favaloro RG. Life-threatening arrhythmias and RV dysfunction after surgical repair of Tetralogy of Fallot: comparison between transventricular and transatrial approaches. Circulation. 1994;90:II-7–II-12
  30. Kawashima Y, Matsuda H, Hirose H, Nadano S, Shiradura R, Kobayashi J. Ninety consecutive corrective operations for tetralogy of Fallot with or without minimal right ventriculotomy. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1985;90:856–863[Abstract]
  31. Atallah-Yunes NH, Kavey REW, Bove EL, et al. Postoperative assessment of a modified surgical approach to repair of tetralogy of Fallot: Long-term follow-up. Circulation. 1996;94:II-22–II-26
  32. Starling MR. Effects of valve surgery on left ventricular contractile function in patients with long-term mitral regurgitation. Circulation. 1995;92:811–818[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  33. Meijboom F, Szatmari A, Deckers JW, et al. Cardiac status and health-related quality of life in the long term after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot in infancy and childhood. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1995;110:883–891[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  34. Beier J, Wellnhofer E, Oswald H, Fleck E. Accuracy and precision of angiographic volumetric methods for left and right ventricle. Int J Cardiol. 1996;53:179–188[CrossRef][Medline]
  35. Markiewicz W, Sechtem U, Kirby R, Derugin N, Caputo GC, Higgins CB. Measurements of ventricular volumes in the dog by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1987;10:170–177[Abstract]
  36. Sechtem U, Pflugfelder PW, Gould RG, Cassidy MM, Higgins CB. Measurements of right and left ventricular volumes in healthy individuals with cine MRI imaging. Radiology. 1987;163:697–702[Abstract/Free Full Text]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Ann. Thorac. Surg.Home page
S. M. Marianeschi, F. Santoro, E. Ribera, E. Catena, G. Vignati, S. Ghiselli, S. Pedretti, O. Suleyman, H. Ustunsoy, and P. A. Berdat
Pulmonary Valve Implantation With the New Shelhigh Injectable Stented Pulmonic Valve
Ann. Thorac. Surg., November 1, 2008; 86(5): 1466 - 1472.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
2006 WRITING COMMITTEE MEMBERS, R. O. Bonow, B. A. Carabello, K. Chatterjee, A. C. de Leon Jr, D. P. Faxon, M. D. Freed, W. H. Gaasch, B. W. Lytle, R. A. Nishimura, et al.
2008 Focused Update Incorporated Into the ACC/AHA 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 1998 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease): Endorsed by the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Circulation, October 7, 2008; 118(15): e523 - e661.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
R. O. Bonow, B. A. Carabello, K. Chatterjee, A. C. de Leon Jr, D. P. Faxon, M. D. Freed, W. H. Gaasch, B. W. Lytle, R. A. Nishimura, P. T. O'Gara, et al.
2008 Focused Update Incorporated Into the ACC/AHA 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 1998 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease) Endorsed by the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., September 23, 2008; 52(13): e1 - e142.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg.Home page
A. Frigiola, V. Tsang, J. Nordmeyer, P. Lurz, C. van Doorn, A. M. Taylor, P. Bonhoeffer, and M. de Leval
Current approaches to pulmonary regurgitation
Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., September 1, 2008; 34(3): 576 - 581.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
P. Lurz, L. Coats, S. Khambadkone, J. Nordmeyer, Y. Boudjemline, S. Schievano, V. Muthurangu, T. Y. Lee, G. Parenzan, G. Derrick, et al.
Percutaneous Pulmonary Valve Implantation: Impact of Evolving Technology and Learning Curve on Clinical Outcome
Circulation, April 15, 2008; 117(15): 1964 - 1972.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
R. J. Sommer, Z. M. Hijazi, and J. F. Rhodes
Pathophysiology of Congenital Heart Disease in the Adult: Part III: Complex Congenital Heart Disease
Circulation, March 11, 2008; 117(10): 1340 - 1350.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
A L Knauth, K Gauvreau, A J Powell, M J Landzberg, E P Walsh, J E Lock, P J d. Nido, and T Geva
Ventricular size and function assessed by cardiac MRI predict major adverse clinical outcomes late after tetralogy of Fallot repair
Heart, February 1, 2008; 94(2): 211 - 216.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg.Home page
F. J. Meijboom, J. W. Roos-Hesselink, J. S. McGhie, S. E.C. Spitaels, R. T. van Domburg, L. M.W.J. Utens, M. L. Simoons, and A. J.J.C. Bogers
Consequences of a selective approach toward pulmonary valve replacement in adult patients with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary regurgitation
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., January 1, 2008; 135(1): 50 - 55.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Card Surg AdultHome page
H. Laks, D. Marelli, M. Plunkett, and J. Myers
Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Card. Surg. Adult, January 1, 2008; 3(2008): 1431 - 1464.
[Full Text]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
L. Coats, S. Khambadkone, G. Derrick, M. Hughes, R. Jones, B. Mist, D. Pellerin, J. Marek, J. E. Deanfield, P. Bonhoeffer, et al.
Physiological consequences of percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation: the different behaviour of volume- and pressure-overloaded ventricles
Eur. Heart J., August 1, 2007; 28(15): 1886 - 1893.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
L. Mertens
Deciphering the mystery of the leaky pulmonary valve in a new era of interventional cardiology
Eur. Heart J., August 1, 2007; 28(15): 1793 - 1794.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
T. Oosterhof, A. van Straten, H. W. Vliegen, F. J. Meijboom, A. P.J. van Dijk, A. M. Spijkerboer, B. J. Bouma, A. H. Zwinderman, M. G. Hazekamp, A. de Roos, et al.
Preoperative Thresholds for Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Patients With Corrected Tetralogy of Fallot Using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
Circulation, July 31, 2007; 116(5): 545 - 551.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg.Home page
M. A. Padalino, S. Speggiorin, G. Rizzoli, G. Crupi, V. L. Vida, M. Bernabei, G. Gargiulo, A. Giamberti, F. Santoro, C. Vosa, et al.
Midterm results of surgical intervention for congenital heart disease in adults: An Italian multicenter study
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., July 1, 2007; 134(1): 106 - 113.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
E. P. Walsh
Interventional Electrophysiology in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease
Circulation, June 26, 2007; 115(25): 3224 - 3234.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
T. M. Bashore
Adult Congenital Heart Disease: Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Lesions
Circulation, April 10, 2007; 115(14): 1933 - 1947.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg.Home page
O. Ghez, V. T. Tsang, A. Frigiola, L. Coats, A. Taylor, C. Van Doorn, P. Bonhoeffer, and M. De Leval
Right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction for pulmonary regurgitation after repair of tetralogy of Fallot.: Preliminary results
Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., April 1, 2007; 31(4): 654 - 658.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Ann. Thorac. Surg.Home page
I. R. Henkens, A. van Straten, M. J. Schalij, M. G. Hazekamp, A. de Roos, E. E. van der Wall, and H. W. Vliegen
Predicting Outcome of Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Adult Tetralogy of Fallot Patients
Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2007; 83(3): 907 - 911.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg.Home page
C. Schreiber, J. Horer, M. Vogt, S. Fratz, M. Kunze, C. Galm, A. Eicken, and R. Lange
A new treatment option for pulmonary valvar insufficiency: first experiences with implantation of a self-expanding stented valve without use of cardiopulmonary bypass
Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., January 1, 2007; 31(1): 26 - 30.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]