Exercise capacity in young people long term after surgical treatment of tetralogy of Fallot

  • Dr Artur Pietrucha, Coronary Disease Department, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland
  • Dr Beata Pietrucha, Children Cardiology Department, University Children Hospital Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland
  • Dr Nader El-Massri, Coronary Disease Department, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow
  • Dr Andrzej Gackowski, Coronary Disease Department, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow
  • Dr Danuta Mroczek-Czernecka, Coronary Disease Department, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow
  • Dr Anton Chrustowicz, Coronary Disease Department, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow
  • Prof Andrzej Rudzinski, Children Cardiology Department, University Children Hospital Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland
  • Prof Wieslawa Piwowarska, Coronary Disease Department, Medical School of Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow

    • The aim of study was evaluation of physical efficiency and function of circulatory system in young people, long term after surgical treatment of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).
    We observed 22 pts. (7 woman and 15 man) aged 19-23 yrs (mean age 21,2) after correction of TOF. TOF was corrected at the age 10 months and 8th years of life.
    All pts underwent echocardiography examination and cardiopulmonary exercise treadmill test (ETT). Left and right ventricle function, pulmonary valve function, ETT duration and workload, and max oxygen uptake (VO2max) and anaerobic threshold (AT) were evaluated. VO2max, ETT work were also expressed as % of predicted values
    Results: (see table.)
    Left ventricle function was not reduced. Right ventricle dilatation with moderately reduced ejection fraction and significant pulmonary valve insufficiency was observed in all pts.
    Exercise was well tolerated by all pts. – they achieved about 90 % of predicted workload.
    Value of VO2max was decreased in all pts. AT was decreased in comparison to predicted values. These results indicate mild to moderate reduction of function of circulatory system.
    Conclusions.
    Young people after surgical treatment of tetralogy of Fallot revealed good exercise toleration in spite of mild to moderate reduction of right ventricle function and pulmonary insufficiency.

    VO2max [ml/kg/min] 24,7(50,5%)
    AT [l/min] 0,91
    AT [% VO2max] 28
    Work [W] 167 (88%)
    METS 11
    RV [mm] 46
    RV EF [%] 50,1%
    LV [mm] 48/32
    LV EF [%] 65