Tetralogy Of Fallot
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a congenital heart defect defined by a combination of four structural abnormalities in the heart. Surgery is the primary treatment for individuals with TOF, aiming to correct the underlying cardiac anomalies and restore normal blood flow. This article will delve into the significance of surgical intervention for Tetralogy of Fallot and outline the procedures involved in addressing this complex cardiac condition.
About Tetralogy Of Fallot
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a complex congenital heart defect characterized by four primary abnormalities:
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): A hole in the wall separating the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles), which allows oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to mix.
Pulmonary Stenosis: Narrowing of the pulmonary valve or the artery that carries blood from the heart to the lungs, which restricts blood flow for oxygenation.
Overriding Aorta: The aorta, the main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood to the body, is positioned above both ventricles instead of solely above the left ventricle.
Right Ventricular Hypertrophy: The right ventricle thickens and enlarges due to the increased workload of pumping blood through the narrowed pathway.
Procedure for Tetralogy of Fallot
- Preoperative Evaluation: Before surgery, a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s overall health and cardiac function is performed, which may include echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, and various imaging tests to evaluate the anatomical variations associated with TOF.
- Anaesthesia and Incision: Surgery is conducted under general anaesthesia. A median sternotomy, which is a vertical incision through the breastbone, is typically made to provide access to the heart.
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass: The patient is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine, which temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs, ensuring proper blood circulation and oxygenation during the surgical procedure.
- Surgical Repair: The surgical approach varies based on the patient’s anatomy and the severity of the cardiac abnormalities. The surgeon usually repairs the ventricular septal defect by patching or closing the hole, relieves or removes the pulmonary stenosis, and repositions the aorta to its proper location. Additional procedures may be performed if there are associated anomalies.