IN OPERATED FALLOT IS RV TELEDIASTOLIC VOLUME > 170 ML/M2 A VALID CUT-OFF FOR INDICATION TO PULMONARY VALVE REPLACEMENT?

Patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repaired by means a transannular patch, suffer of residual pulmonary regurgitation leading to right ventricle (RV) dilatation. Several groups have recently demonstrated that if these pts are re-operated for pulmonary valve implant (PVR) since RV tele-diastolic volume (RVtd Vol) exceeds 170 mL/m2, the RV volumes do not decrease to normal values. However the beneficial hemodynamic effects of PVR still have to be weighted against the need for re-operation for valve failure.-