Cardiology Patient Page

Tetralogy of Fallot
Patricia O’Brien, MSN, CPNP-AC; Audrey C. Marshall, MD

C ongenital heart defects result from

abnormal changes in the structure
of the heart that occur early in preg-
2. Ventricular septal defect. There
is a hole in the wall (septum)
between the right and left ven-
a higher-than-average chance of having
this heart defect.

nancy and are present at birth. They are
the most common birth defects, occur-
ring in about 1 in 125 births. Tetralogy
of Fallot (TOF) is a common defect in
which obstruction to the flow of blood
from the heart to the lungs causes low
oxygen levels in the blood. Open heart
surgery to correct the heart defect is
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tricles (pumping chambers) of the How Is TOF Diagnosed?
heart. Many newborns with TOF will have
3. Overriding of the aorta. The lower measured oxygen levels than
major blood vessel from the heart
normal or may have visibly blue lips
to the body, the aorta, is posi-
or nail beds (called cyanosis). It is
tioned more rightward than nor-
now recommended that newborns get
mal and sits above the ventricular
screened for heart disease by hav-
septal defect.
ing their oxygen levels measured by
4. Hypertrophy of the right ven-

the only treatment that gives long-term
survival.
What Is TOF?
TOF is a defect combining 4 abnormal-
ities that are all related (Figure):
1. Right ventricular outflow tract
obstruction. The connection
between the right ventricle of the
heart and the lungs is narrowed,
and the blood flow to the lungs
is reduced. The main area of nar-
rowing is under the pulmonary
valve, caused by thick muscle in
this area. The valve may also be
narrow (stenotic), and the pul-
monary artery may also be small
(hypoplastic).
tricle. The right ventricle is more
muscular than normal as a result
of the right ventricular outflow
tract obstruction and the need to
pump harder.
TOF can be seen with other heart
defects, but this Cardiology Patient
Page focuses on the most common
form, TOF with pulmonary stenosis.
TOF occurs equally in boys and girls
and in all races and ethnic groups. It is
associated with several genetic condi-
tions, including trisomy 21 (Down
syndrome), and with deletions on
chromosome 22 and may occur with
other birth defects such as cleft lip and
palate. If a parent or sibling has TOF,
other children in the family also have
a machine called a pulse oximeter
before going home. A heart murmur
(abnormal heart sounds caused by tur-
bulent blood flow) may be heard with
a stethoscope. An echocardiogram, an
ultrasound that gives detailed images
of the heart, is necessary to confirm
the diagnosis. Today, many infants
are diagnosed with a heart defect
before birth by an ultrasound during
pregnancy.
Symptoms vary, depending on the
severity of obstruction to blood flow
to the lungs. Some infants appear
blue soon after birth because of
severe obstruction, whereas others
with less obstruction are a normal
pink color. The obstruction generally
gets worse over time, so blue lips may

The information contained in this Circulation Cardiology Patient Page is not a substitute for medical advice, and the American Heart Association
recommends consultation with your doctor or healthcare professional.
From the Department of Nursing/Patient Services, Cardiovascular Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA (P.O.); and Department of Pediatrics,
Harvard Medical School, and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA (A.C.M.).
Correspondence to Patricia O’Brien, MSN, CPNP-AC, Department of Nursing/Patient Services, Cardiovascular Program, Boston Children’s Hospital.
E-mail pat.obrien@cardio.chboston.org
(Circulation. 2014;130:e26-e29.)
© 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.
Circulation is available at http://circ.ahajournals.org DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.005547

e26
 O’Brien and Marshall   Tetralogy of Fallot   e27

Figure. Diagram of normal heart contrasted with heart defects associated with Tetralogy of Fallot. From Boston Children’s Hospital Web site.

first appear at several months of age.
Some infants with mild obstruction
may never be blue (“pink Tets”) and
may have signs of too much blood
flow to the lungs (rapid breathing,
poor feeding, and slow weight gain),
much like an infant with only a ven-
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surgery planned several months later.
Premature infants or newborns with
other major medical problems that
put them at higher risk may do better
avoiding a full repair and instead hav-
ing a temporary procedure if they have
severe obstruction (Table 1).
which they become intensely blue with
deeper and faster breathing. Most com-
mon between 2 and 4 months of age,
spells occur more often in the morning
with crying, feeding, or stooling or at
times of stress, or they can be triggered
by dehydration. Treatment includes

tricular septal defect. calming the baby and holding the baby
Most newborns with TOF are well, Hypercyanotic Spells in a position with knees up touching
with normal breathing and feeding, Infants with TOF may have hypercya- the chest. This changes the blood flow
and can be discharged home with notic spells (“Tet spells”), episodes in pattern in the heart and may relieve the

Table 1.  Treatments for Tetralogy of Fallot With Pulmonary Stenosis

Age Characteristics Treatments
Newborn Severe cyanosis in newborns at higher risk for TEMPORARY PROCEDURES:
complete repair: SURGERY: Shunt procedure: Gore-Tex tube from an artery off the
premature infants, infants with other birth aorta to the pulmonary artery to provide blood flow to the lungs
defects, very ill infants CATHETERIZATION: dilation of the pulmonary valve
3–6 mo Open heart surgery, heart-lung bypass SURGERY: complete repair:
1. Close the VSD with a patch so that the aorta comes from the
Type of surgical repair depends on child’s left ventricle
anatomy 2. Remove extra-thick muscle in the right ventricle below the
valve
3. Repair narrow pulmonary valve
a. Valve-sparing technique for mild obstruction:
pulmonary valve is dilated
b. Transannular patch for severe obstruction:
larger patch going across the pulmonary valve extend-
ing from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery that
destroys the pulmonary valve
4. Patch the right ventricle to relieve obstruction
In 5% of patients, an abnormal coronary artery (supplies blood to
heart muscle) crosses the area where the patch would go. In that
case, repair is done with a conduit (tube) from right ventricle to
main pulmonary artery
Adolescents and adults Progressive leaking of the pulmonary valve and SURGERY: pulmonary valve replacement with tissue valve
dilation of the right ventricle
Narrow pulmonary valve or pulmonary artery CATHETERIZATION: balloon dilate pulmonary valve or pulmonary artery
 e28  Circulation  July 22, 2014

spell. If there is no improvement in a Table 2.  Future Care

few minutes, call 9-1-1. Rarely, spells
can cause babies to pass out or to have
a seizure or a stroke. If a spell occurs,
surgery is performed soon to prevent
further spells.
Surgical Treatment
Most infants have a surgical repair at
3 to 6 months of age. Surgery is done
through an incision in the center of the
chest along the sternum (breastbone),
and the heart-lung bypass machine is
used to support the circulation during
the operation (Table 1). Infants are usu-
ally in the hospital for about a week and
fully recover in 4 to 6 weeks. Surgical
results are excellent, with a less than
2% surgical mortality and very good
long-term outcomes.
After surgery, infants are in the
intensive care unit for several days, are
on a ventilator to help them breathe,
and receive medicines to help the heart
recover from surgery. A problem seen
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Few children have symptoms, and most may participate in normal activities without restriction
Medical care involves regular (yearly) evaluations by the cardiologist with electrocardiograms and
echocardiograms to monitor for cardiac concerns that may occur late after repair
 Continued or progressive obstruction in the right ventricle
 Continued or progressive obstruction across the pulmonary arteries
 Leaking (regurgitation) of the pulmonary valve
 Increasing dilation of the right ventricle and decreased ventricle function
 Dilation of the aorta (rarely needs treatment)
 Rhythm problems
  Ventricular tachycardia: dangerous fast rhythm
  Abnormal slow rhythms: need for pacemaker
Heart-healthy lifestyle is encouraged
 Healthy diet and appropriate weight for age
 Regular exercise
 No smoking
Regular dental care is necessary
Higher incidence of learning and behavioral problems is observed
 Attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, speech delays, etc
 Early assessment and treatment
Adolescents are prepared to become more responsible for their own health care
 Learn more about tetralogy of Fallot and long-term issues
 Assume more responsibility for care over time

early after surgery can be fluid over-

load in the lungs and body because the
right ventricle is not pumping effec-
tively as it recovers. Medicines called
diuretics are used to help get rid of
extra fluid. Problems with abnormal
heartbeats (rhythm problems) may also
occur after surgery because of swelling
or injury to the electric system of the
heart, which runs next to the ventricu-
lar septal defect. Rarely, a pacemaker
may be needed if the rhythm does not
return to normal.
Long-Term Concerns
During childhood, most children do
very well, with normal growth and
development, but need regular cardi-
ology care (Table 2). However, even
successful surgery does not result in
a totally normal heart. The right ven-
tricular outflow tract often has some
degree of obstruction, and the pulmo-
nary valve does not function normally.
As a result of most surgical repairs, the
valve leaflets cannot close completely,
allowing blood to leak back into the
right ventricle (called pulmonary
regurgitation).
Most will achieve normal adult lifestyle (eg, work full-time, have children)
Pulmonary regurgitation is well
tolerated in children, but over many
years, the right ventricle may dilate
and stretch in some patients. The right
ventricle may pump less effectively,
which increases the risk of rhythm
problems and may decrease exercise
ability. Early signs of trouble from
pulmonary regurgitation are seen on
echocardiograms and are further evalu-
ated with magnetic resonance imag-
ing. Magnetic resonance imaging is an
imaging study done inside a magnet
that allows very detailed pictures and
measurements of the heart structures.
Surgical replacement of the pulmonary
valve with a tissue valve is considered
for patients with progressive right ven-
tricular dilation. This is a low-risk open
heart procedure done on the heart-lung
bypass machine; the usual hospital stay
is less than a week; and recovery is in
6 to 8 weeks.
Abnormal rhythm problems, espe-
cially a very rapid heart rate called
ventricular tachycardia, which can be
life-threatening, can occur years after
TOF repair. More common in those
with significant obstruction in the right
ventricle, symptoms include dizziness,
fainting, or palpitations (irregular or
rapid heartbeat). Treatments may include
medications or further procedures.
Summary
TOF is a congenital heart defect that
results in decreased blood flow to the
lungs and is successfully repaired
by surgery in infancy, allowing most
patients a normal lifestyle. Lifelong
follow-up is important to watch for
problems such as an abnormal heart
rhythm, leaking of the pulmonary
valve, or poor function of the right
ventricle. Continued research leading
to new knowledge and treatments for
congenital heart disease will improve
the care of children in the future.
Disclosures
None.

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outcomes in children with congenital heart dis-
ease: evaluation and management: Scientific
Statement from the American Heart Association.
Circulation. 2012;126:1143–1172.
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O’Brien and Marshall   Tetralogy of Fallot   e29
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Circulation. 2011;123:1454–1485.
Adult Congenital Heart Association Web site.
www.achaheart.org.
American Heart Association Web site. www.
heart.org.
Boston Children’s Hospital Web site. www.child-
renshospital.org.