Early and late results and the effects on pulmonary arteries of balloon dilatation of the right ventricular outflow tract in tetralogy of Fallot

Background Balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve remains controversial as a palliative procedure in tetralogy of Fallot. Aims To determine the clinical outcome, growth of the pulmonary vascular tree and findings at surgery of balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve performed as a palliation in infants with tetralogy of Fallot. Methods and Results Thirty-three severely cyanosed infants (mean age of 3 months for the whole population, including seven neonates) underwent this procedure from June 1990 to January 1997. After balloon dilatation, systemic oxygen saturation increased from a mean value of 76±9% to 88±7% (P