Balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve in the first year of life in patients with tetralogy of Fallot: a preliminary study.

Abstract

Fifteen infants with tetralogy of Fallot, who would otherwise have required a palliative operation, underwent balloon dilatation of the right ventricular outflow tract. The mean period of palliation was 8.5 months (range 0-26 months). The procedure was performed without serious complications on 88% of occasions. This preliminary study suggests that balloon dilatation may be useful in the management of tetralogy of Fallot.