Tetralogy of fallot echocardiography


 * Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org], Keri Shafer, M.D. [mailto:kshafer@bidmc.harvard.edu];  Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

Overview
Echocardiography establishes the initial diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot, and is useful in evaluating the hemodynamic abnormalities that are present. Right to left shunting through the VSD can be visualized by color Doppler imaging, and the severity of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction can be determined by spectral Doppler measurements.

Echocardiographic Findings
The following abnormalities will be observed on echocardiography:
 * Ventricular septal defect
 * Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction
 * Overriding aorta

Optimal Views

 * Parasternal long-axis view
 * Short-axis view (to evaluate size of septal defect)

Post-Operative Evaluation

 * Evaluation of VSD repair
 * Residual shunting
 * Right ventricular size and contractility
 * Right ventricular outflow tract for residual stenosis
 * Severity of pulmonary regurgitation

Examples




Additional Resource
Yale University School of Medicine Congenital Heart Disease: Tetralogy of Fallot