Background: The aim of this study is to review the outcome of reoperation for severe tricuspid regurgitation after repair of tetralogy of Fallot.
Methods: Between 1972 and 2000, 12 patients underwent reoperation on the tricuspid valve after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot. The mean age at the time of reoperation was 17 years (range, 1 to 39 years). The mean interval between the initial correction and the reoperation was 7.8 years (range, 10 days to 19 years). The functional class was New York Heart Association class II in 2 patients and class III or IV in 10. Six patients underwent tricuspid valve repair, and the others underwent tricuspid valve replacement.
Results: Hospital mortality was 16.7% (2/12). Three patients (30%, 3/10) required a second reoperation 1.6, 9.2, and 15.6 years after the most recent reoperation with no deaths. The reasons for second reoperation were failure of the tricuspid valve repair in two and a thrombosed valve in one. There were two late deaths. Mean overall event-free actuarial survival at 10 years was 46.3%.
Conclusion: Reoperation for severe tricuspid regurgitation after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot was associated with a high operative mortality and disappointing long-term results. Tricuspid regurgitation after corrective surgery for tetralogy of Fallot must be diagnosed promptly and cured, as tolerance is poor because of postoperative right ventricular insufficiency.