Pulmonary and tricuspid regurgitation after Tetralogy of Fallot repair: A case report

World J Cardiol. 2023 Dec 26;15(12):642-648. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v15.i12.642.

Abstract

Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the most common congenital heart defects, and surgery is the primary treatment. There are no precise guidelines on the treatment protocol for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) as a common complication of TOF repair. The timing for treatment in patients presenting with valve regurgitation after TOF repair is often difficult to determine. Here, we report the first case of sequential treatment of pulmonary and TR using interventional therapy.

Case summary: We present the case of a 52-year-old female patient, who had a history of TOF repair at a young age. A few years later, the patient presented with pulmonary and tricuspid regurgitation. The symptoms persisted and TR worsened following percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation. Preoperative testing revealed that the patient's disease had advanced to an intermediate to advanced stage and that her general health was precarious. Because open-heart surgery was not an option for the patient, transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement was suggested. This procedure was successful, and the patient recovered fully without any adverse effects. This case report may serve as a useful resource for planning future treatments.

Conclusion: Treatment of both valves should be considered in patients with tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitations following TOF repair. The interventional strategy could be an alternative for patients with poor general health.

Keywords: Case report; Interventional treatment; Pulmonary regurgitation; Sequential treatment; Tetralogy of Fallot repair; Tricuspid regurgitation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports