After repair of tetralogy of Fallot, many patients present in need of reoperative surgical reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract. The predominant physiologic lesion is pulmonary insufficiency, but there may also be varying degrees of obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract. In the past, it has been felt that patients tolerate pulmonary insufficiency reasonably well. In some patients, however, the long-term effects of pulmonary insufficiency and subsequent right ventricular dilation and dysfunction are associated with poor exercise tolerance and increased incidence of arrhythmias and sudden death.1,2 Numerous studies support replacement of the pulmonary valve as treatment for pulmonary insufficiency in order to improve performance, optimize hemodynamics, and better control arrhythmias.3–10 The indications for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract in this setting, nonetheless, as well as the operative strategy, continue to evolve. There are multiple surgical options for replacement of the pulmonary valve for these patients, including aortic and pulmonary homografts, stented and stentless porcine valves, porcine valved conduits, bovine jugular venous conduits, and even mechanical valves and mechanical valved conduits.11–32 It was a less than ideal experience with these currently available options that stimulated our interest into employing alternative materials and techniques. Favorable experimental and clinical experience with valves made of a polytetrafluoroethylene monoleaflet33–36 encouraged us to consider a new method of reconstruction with this material, using a bifoliate polytetrafluoroethylene valve. In this work, we review our indications for replacement of the pulmonary valve after repair of tetralogy of Fallot, the surgical options available, and our experience reconstructing the right ventricular outflow tract with a new surgically created bifoliate polytetrafluoroethylene valve.
Commentary: Surgical options for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction: Innovate or die
