ObjectiveTo investigate pulmonary artery growth, valvular regurgitation and right heart function after right ventricle-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) anastomosis for right ventricle outflow (RVOT) reconstruction in patients with different types of pulmonary atresia and ventricle septal defect (PA/VSD). MethodsClinical data of 31 PA/VSD patients who underwent right ventricle-pulmonary anastomosis for RVOT reconstruction from November 2002 to September 2012 in Guangdong General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 20 male and 11 female patients with their age ranging from 14 days to 14.50 years (47.90±53.84 months). Patients were followed up after discharge to evaluate the anastomasis, pulmonary artery growth, pulmonary artery and tricuspid regurgitation and their relationship with follow-up duration. Right ventricular strain and other echocardiography indexes were used to evaluate right heart function. ResultsThree patients died postoperatively. Twenty-seven patients (27/31, 87.1%)were followed up for 4-129 (35.97±28.24)months. There was no late death during follow-up. There was no anastomotic restenosis in patients who received radical surgery. Four patients who received palliative surgery had comparative anastomotic restenosis. The diameters of RV-PA anastomasis, left and right branches of the pulmonary artery during follow-up were significantly larger than early postoperative diameters (P < 0.05). Echocardiography showed that pulmonary artery and tricuspid regurgitation were aggravated, which was not correlated to follow-up duration. Overall right heart function was good during follow-up. ConclusionsClinical outcomes of RV-PA anastomosis for RVOT reconstruction in patients with PA/VSD are satisfactory. RV-PA anastomasis, left and right branches of the pulmonary artery can keep their growth and development. Mid-term and long-term right heart function is good.
Evaluationthe right heart function has vital clinical value, especially in patients after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot(TOF).As an important tool used to assess the structure and function of heart, echocardiography has been used to evaluatethe right heart function of TOF after the surgery. This article reviews the current research on echocardiography techniques and right heart function in patients after surgical repair of Tetralogy of Fallot．