Long-Term Management of Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Dysfunction in Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Abstract

Right ventricular outflow dysfunction, manifesting as stenosis, regurgitation, or both, is nearly universal in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot, precipitating a complex pathophysiological cascade that leads to increasing rates of morbidity and mortality with advancing age. As the number of adolescent and adult patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot continues to grow as a result of excellent survival during infancy, the need to improve late outcomes has become an urgent priority. This American Heart Association scientific statement provides an update on the current state of knowledge of the pathophysiology, methods of surveillance, risk stratification, and latest available therapies, including transcatheter and surgical pulmonary valve replacement strategies, as well as management of life-threatening arrhythmias. It reviews emerging evidence on the roles of comorbidities and patient-reported outcomes and their impact on quality of life. In addition, this scientific statement explores contemporary evidence for clinical choices such as transcatheter or surgical pulmonary valve replacement, discusses criteria and options for intervention for failing implanted bioprosthetic pulmonary valves, and considers a new approach to determining optimal timing and indications for pulmonary valve replacement.

Keywords: AHA Scientific Statements; cardiac surgical procedures; diagnostic imaging; heart defects, congenital; pulmonary valve; tetralogy of Fallot.