Background: Balloon dilatation (BD) of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) or placement of a Blalock-Taussig shunt (B-T shunt) are usually needed for palliation in those with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) that cannot undergo a definitive repair in early infancy. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect on the growth of the PA and outcome after BD of the RVOT and placement of B-T shunts in TOF patients.
Methods: Thirty-nine patients who received BD of the RVOT as an initial palliative procedure before a definitive repair at our institution were included. They were divided into 2 groups: Group I patients (n= 31) received BD of the RVOT and Group II patients (n=8) received a B-T shunt placement before the definitive repair.
Results: Group I patients included 18 males and 13 females with a mean age of 3.4 ± 3.0 (0.2 to 10) months, and Group II patients included 5 males and 3 females with a mean age of 7.1 ± 3.9 (4.6 to 13.0) months. There was a significant improvement in the AO O2 SAT immediately after the palliative treatment in both groups, but a higher elevation of oxygen saturation in aorta was demonstrated in Group II patients. The Group I patients had a significant increase in the diameter of the PAs after the palliative BD of the RVOT.
Conclusion: Palliative BD of the RVOT in TOF patients has a significantly better effect on the growth of the PAs than does a B-T shunt placement.