Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot is a rare and complex heart condition that requires immediate treatment from skilled and trained physicians. Our surgeons restore normal blood flow in your child’s heart and repair structural defects for long-term health.

What is tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)?

Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart condition, meaning that a child is born with it. It affects the way blood flows to the lungs and hearts and is characterized by four defects in the heart’s structure:

• Displaced aorta: The artery that carries oxygen-rich blood to the body is not where it usually is, resulting in lower oxygen levels.
• Pulmonary valve stenosis: Blood flow to the lungs is decreased by narrowing in the pulmonary valve.
• Right ventricular hypertrophy: Irregular thickening in the lower right chamber of the heart (right ventricle) makes it harder for your child's heart to pump blood to the pulmonary valve.
• Ventricular septal defect (VSD): A hole in the wall between the heart’s two lower chambers (ventricles) changes how much blood flows to the lungs.

Tetralogy of Fallot symptoms

Symptoms of tetralogy of Fallot in adults and older children may include:

In babies, tetralogy of Fallot may present with:

• Poor feeding
• Failure to thrive
• Fast breathing
• Intermittent episodes of profound bluish discoloration needing urgent help

Tetralogy of Fallot diagnosis

To diagnose tetralogy of Fallot, our heart experts listen for the sound of a heart murmur and perform a physical exam. We also need to request tests, which may include:

• Blood tests
• Cardiac catheterization
• Chest X-rays or MRIs
• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram

Tetralogy of Fallot treatment at Advocate Children’s Hospital

Children with tetralogy of Fallot require heart surgery to fix structural defects and restore blood flow.

Treatment may happen in stages. We'll fix the defects we can based on the maturity of your child’s heart and complications that may develop. No matter where we start, we help your child feel better and set them up for a long life with a healthy heart.

At different stages in your child’s development, we may recommend:

• Shunt implant (temporary or palliative repair): Sometimes, we intervene early by placing a shunt between the body and lung artery, or a stent in the narrow right outflow tract to restore blood flow to the lungs. This step provides relief until we can perform a more permanent repair.
• Reconstruction of the right outflow tract: We remove tissue that’s blocking or narrowing the right outflow tract. We may also place a patch to help widen the main or branch lung arteries. This procedure helps restore blood flow to the lungs.
• Ventricle septal defect repair: This repair closes the hole in the wall between the left and right side of the heart (complete repair).