Early post-operative benefits of a pulmonary valve-sparing strategy during Fallot repair

Patients undergoing complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot generally have an excellent prognosis. Unfortunately, pulmonary valve reconstruction with a transannular patch is generally required. Resulting pulmonary regurgitation is associated with late right ventricular dysfunction and morbidity. Early pulmonary regurgitation may also be poorly tolerated. This study compares immediate outcomes of non-valved transannular patch repair (NV-TAP) to a valve-sparing (V-Sp) approach. 67 patients, with tetralogy of Fallot and severe pulmonary annular hypoplasia underwent complete repair between 2010 and 2018.23 patients had a NV-TAP repair while a V-Sp technique was used in 44 patients. Mortality, length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital, use of inotropes, duration of mechanical ventilation, use and duration of dialysis, chest drainage duration, reinterventions, and postoperative complications were compared. Immediate outcomes were assessed by biological data and postoperative echocardiography. ICU stay was shorter in the V-Sp group (5 days vs 8 days, p = 0.009). At postoperative day 1, Vasoactive Inotropic Score and mean dosage of adrenaline were significantly lower in the V-Sp group. Duration of inotrope use was significantly shorter. Hospital stay, mechanical ventilation, and chest drainage duration, the incidence and duration of dialysis all showed a trend towards being lower in the V-Sp group. Surgical complications were similar despite longer cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp durations. Repair of the native pulmonary valve by a V-Sp technique reduces length of stay in the ICU and the use of inotropic agents in the immediate post-operative period.