Mitral annulus is enlarged and functionally impaired in adult patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot as assessed by three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography-results from the CSONGRAD Registry and MAGYAR-Path Study

Background: Fibrous mitral annulus (MA) is an important part of the mitral valve having a role in forwarding blood from the left atrium (LA) to the left ventricle (LV). MA can be assessed by three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) respecting the cardiac cycle. The present study was designed to test whether repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is associated with morphological and functional alterations of the MA. The role of the type of treatment (early total reconstruction vs. early palliation, late correction) was also assessed. Methods: The study population consisted of 29 consecutive adults repaired TOF patients (mean age: 35.4±15.5 years, 18 men), from which 13 patients underwent early total reconstruction (etrTOF), while 16 patients were firstly palliated and later corrected (pcTOF). Their data were compared to that of 76 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (mean age: 35.9±7.6 years, 33 men). All repaired TOF patients and controls were assessed by two-dimensional (2D) Doppler echocardiography and 3DSTE. Results: Dilated end-systolic and end-diastolic MA diameter, area and perimeter and reduced MA fractional area change and MA fractional shortening could be demonstrated in repaired TOF patients as compared to controls. Increased body surface area-indexed end-diastolic and end-systolic MA diameter and perimeter could be demonstrated in pcTOF patients as compared to that of etrTOF cases. Conclusions: MA enlargement and functional impairment could be detected in adult patients with repaired TOF regardless of the type of correction. However, pcTOF patients have worse results.