Risk stratification in adults with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: the long journey from clinical parameters and surface ECG to in-depth assessment of myocardial mechanics, volume and pressure loading

摘要

This editorial refers to 'Contemporary Predictors of Death and Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients With Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot Enrolled in the INDICATOR Cohort' by Valente et al. Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most common cyanotic heart defect at birth. Major advances in cardiac surgery and paediatric cardiology now enable the vast majority of patients born with this condition to survive to adulthood. However, surgical repair cannot cure these patients and life expectancy continues to be compromised. Haemodynamically relevant pulmonary regurgitation (PR) is common and appears to have a major impact on long-term morbidity and mortality.