Right ventricular outflow tract stenting for late presenter unrepaired Fallot physiology: a single-center experience

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical outcome after right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stenting in late presenter patient with unrepaired Fallot physiology.

Background: In younger patients, RVOT stenting is an alternative to mBTT shunt; however, there have been few reports of this palliative technique in late presenter population, including adults.

Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study of nonrandomized, palliated Fallot patients. Clinical outcomes such as left ventricular ejection fraction and saturation were measured in 32 individuals following RVOT stenting in adults (n = 10) and children (n = 22). The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 26.0 software was used to analyze the statistical data.

Results: During the procedure, the average stent diameter and length were 8.84 ± 1.64 mm and 35.46 ± 11.23 mm, respectively. Adult patients received slightly longer stents than pediatric patients (43.60 ± 11.64 mm vs. 31.77 ± 9.07 mm). Overall, patients' saturation increased from 58.56 ± 19.03% to 91.03 ± 8.98% (p < 0.001), as did their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from 64.00 ± 18.21% to 75.09 ± 12.98% (p = 0.001). Three patients improved their LVEF from 31 to 55%, 31 to 67%, and 26 to 50%. The median length of stay was 8 (2-35) days, with an ICU stay of 2 (0-30) days. The median time from RVOT stent palliation to total repair was 3 months (range: 1 month-12 months).

Conclusions: RVOT stenting is a safe and effective method for increasing saturation and ejection fraction not only in newborn infants but also in late presenters, including adults with unrepaired Fallot physiology.

Keywords: RVOT stent; adults; ejection fraction; late presenter; palliative; tetralogy of Fallot.