Severe pulmonary regurgitation may result in right ventricular volume overload and decreased right ventricular function. Severe pulmonary regurgitation can be predicted prior to repair of tetralogy of Fallot. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for severe pulmonary regurgitation in repaired tetralogy of Fallot with transannular patch.

This was a cross-sectional study in 43 patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot using transannular patch. This study was carried out in Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital during 2015 to 2018. Participants were followed up for routine examination using echocardiography. We used bivariate and multivariate logistic regression using STATA 12.1 to identify risk factors for severe pulmonary regurgitation in this population.

A total of 43 patients composed of 22 boys and 21 girls with repaired tetralogy of Fallot using transannular patch were enrolled in the study. Median age of participants was 6 years at admission (2.1–18.5 years) and 3.4 years (1–17 years) at repair. Median length of follow-up was 2.1(1–4.3) years. Risk factors associated with severe pulmonary regurgitation after tetralogy of Fallot repair were McGoon ratio > 1.8 (odds ratio = 6.9; 95% confidence interval = 1.6–30) and follow-up duration >1.9 years (odds ratio = 3.6; 95% confidence interval = 0.9–15.2).

McGoon ratio > 1.8 and follow-up duration > 1.9 years are associated with severe pulmonary regurgitation after tetralogy of Fallot repair.

Right ventricular dysfunction in patients with tetralogy of Fallot and significant pulmonary regurgitation may lead to systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle due to altered ventricular interaction. We were interested in determining whether chronic pulmonary regurgitation affects the preload of the left ventricle. In addition, we wanted to study whether severe chronic pulmonary regurgitation would alter the preload of the left ventricle when compared with patients having preserved pulmonary valve annulus.

The study group comprised 38 patients with tetralogy of Fallot who underwent surgical repair between 1990 and 2003. Transannular patching was required in 21 patients to reconstruct the right ventricular outflow tract. Altogether, 48 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers were recruited. Cardiac MRI was performed on all study patients to assess the atrial and ventricular volumes and function.

Severe pulmonary regurgitation (>30 ml/m2) was present in 13 patients, of whom 11 had a transannular patch, but only two had a preserved pulmonary valve annulus. The ventricular preload volumes from both atria were significantly reduced in patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation, and left ventricular stroke volumes (44.1±4.7 versus 58.9±10.7 ml/m2; p<0.0001) were smaller compared with that in patients with pulmonary regurgitation <30 ml/m2 or in controls.

In patients with tetralogy of Fallot, severe pulmonary regurgitation has a significant effect on volume flow through the left atrium. Reduction in left ventricular preload volume may be an additional factor contributing to left ventricular dysfunction.