Right ventricular function late after total repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Abstract

Over the past decades, life expectancy in patients with congenital heart disease has increased dramatically. However, serious complications may develop late after total repair in infancy. These complications are usually the result of longstanding pulmonary regurgitation, which leads to dilatation of the right ventricle and an increased risk for severe arrhythmias. Therefore lifelong follow-up in these patients is required. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is the current imaging tool of choice because it offers superior imaging quality and enables accurate quantification of functional parameters such as flow volumes and systolic and diastolic performance.