is the life expectancy of ppl with Tetralogy of Fallot normal if they had a successful surgery as a baby?

Question

Thank you so much for all of your comments I appreciate it! And littleba...you are right, live life to the fullest and appreciate everyday we are here on earth. life is too short.

Answer 1

Only the surgeon can answer this. My prayers are with you if you have a baby with heart problems. My little girl had heart surgery at 31/2. She is fine now, but I thought for sure I would die and her too.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
is the life expectancy of ppl with Tetralogy of Fallot normal if they had a successful surgery as a baby?

Answer 3

Tetralogy Of Fallot Life Expectancy

Answer 4

Note: This web page is meant to be a helpful, informative introduction on the subject of Tetrology of Fallot. The information may not be applicable to all cases, especially if there are additional defects. It is not meant to replace the opinion of a personal physician.





Tetrology of Fallot is a common heart defect, and the most common cyanotic heart defect. Cyanosis refers to the bluish tinge of the lips and fingers that develops when the blood which circulates in the body is not fully filled with oxygen. Blood which is fully filled with oxygen is bright red; blood which is not is dark blue-purple. There are two main pumping chambers (called ventricles) in the heart. The right ventricle takes unoxygenated blood (the oxygen has been used by the body) from the body and pumps it to the lungs, and the left ventricle takes oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the body. Separating these two chambers is a wall (called a septum). Ordinarily, there is no mixing of the blood between the two ventricles. In Tetrology of Fallot, there is a ventricular septal defect (VSD), that is, a hole between the two ventricles. In addition to the hole between the ventricles, there is a narrowing of the artery which goes to the lungs (called Pulmonary Stenosis). It can be difficult for the blood to get through this area. Since blood tends to follow the path of least resistance, some of the blood in the right ventricle will avoid this tight spot by going across the VSD to the left side. The blood in the right ventricle is unoxygenated (blue); thus some blue blood crosses over to the left ventricle and gets pumped out to the body. This is why children with Tetrology of Fallot are often blue.



Children with Tetrology of Fallot may be more or less “blue” in color depending on how narrow the artery is which leads to the lungs. If that artery is only mildly narrow, a nearly-normal amount of blood may go the lungs to get oxygenated, and the child may have very little bluish tinge. These children also tend to grow well and be active. Symptoms are minimal or absent. On the other hand, if the artery leading to the lungs is severely narrowed, children may be quite blue. They may also have problems with feeding and growing. Some children will have episodes where they get much bluer than usual (called “tet spells”). Children who have spells usually undergo corrective surgery soon after the onset of the spells.



Unless there is some unusual complicating factor, all children with Tetrology of Fallot should undergo correction. Even those with mild symptoms will do better in the long run with corrective surgery than if left alone. Surgery involves closure of the ventricular septal defect with a patch, along with opening the narrowed artery to the lungs. The technique used to open the artery will vary with the size of the patient and the severity of the narrowing. Surgery is done using an up and down (vertical) incision on the chest. It is necessary to place patients on the heart-lung machine during surgery. Tubes are placed in the vessels coming back to the heart to draw blood away before it gets to the heart. The machine oxygenates the blood and then pumps it back into the body. In this way, the surgeon can work inside the heart more easily.



Most children stay in the hospital from 4-12 days after repair of Tetrology of Fallot. Children often leave the hospital on some medications, but these can sometimes be discontinued within a couple of months after surgery.



Most children do very well for many years after surgery for Tetrology of Fallot. However, the surgery cannot be considered a true “cure.” In normal hearts, there are usually two valves on the right side of the heart. (A valve keeps blood going in the correct direction). Most children only have one valve on the right side after surgery for Tetrology of Fallot. Usually, this does not cause any problems. In some, however, the right side of the heart may become overburdened because of this and may need another operation years after the original repair. This only happens to a few percent of the children, but it is important to make sure that all children who have Tetrology of Fallot are followed regularly by a cardiologist.
Unfortunately, this article did NOT say what the life expectancy is, however, if it is YOU who had the surgery, I'd check with your doctor....but here's the thing---try not to worry about it....whatever is going to happen IS going to happen--I am 56 years old and found out 6 months ago that MY heart and lungs are pretty much shot...a birth defect that went UNDETECTED until I had an attack 6 months ago---it is inoperable and terminal.... HOWEVER, I am living my life to the fullest (and taking ALL my meds and following doctor's orders)...and not sad because I don't fear the inevitable... EVERY second we spend alive is a gift....live your life like that and take NOTHING for granted ....no matter how long you will be on this earth...

Answer 5

Mariliz - The life expectancy of people with tetralogy of Fallot is very variable and is very dependent on the details of your child's anatomy. Therefore, the only person who can answer the question with any accuracy is your child's cardiologist.

What I CAN tell you is that most patients who have undergone a successful repair will live to be fully functional adults, even if their life expectancy may be somewhat shorter than people without heart disease. I see many patients with tetralogy of Fallot who are in their 40s or older and living very normal lives. Hope that helps! Good luck to you!

Answer 6

Hi,
I never heard of your disease you wrote about til I read the lady's Barb answer. I just want to say I wish you and BARB the best of luck. And I am so sorry this happened to you. And I am sorry for Barbs bad news too. Please Barb God Be with you!! I went to write you but you are not excepting. I understand that. I wish for Gods miracle to cure you both! I have two artificial valves in my heart but I am doing ok. I have a lot of health issues but I am ashamed of being a baby at times when I see stories like this! God Bless!

Answer 7

I am 41 year old only one operation 1976 I have three amazing boys, 23, 22, 21.