The estimated time from intracardiac repair to pulmonary valve replacement decreased significantly from 34 years in patients born 1940-1976 to 16 years in those born 2000-2021, coinciding with lower right ventricular end-systolic volume index.
Observational (n=938)
Yes
Does earlier pulmonary valve replacement improve ventricular volumes, function, and exercise capacity in patients with tetralogy of Fallot?
The timing of pulmonary valve replacement in tetralogy of Fallot has shifted earlier over time, which is associated with improved right ventricular volumes and function, though not left ventricular parameters or exercise capacity.
Absolute Event Rate: 16% vs 34%
p-value: p=<0.001
Abstract To assess temporal changes in the timing of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) among patients with tetralogy of Fallot and to determine whether temporal shifts toward earlier PVR were accompanied by differences in ventricular volumes, ventricular function and exercise capacity after PVR. The timing of PVR was evaluated in a national, retrospective cohort using the Aalen-Johansen method to estimate cumulative incidence while accounting for death as competing risk. Trends in ventricular volumes, ventricular function and exercise capacity were assessed in patients with prior PVR, who underwent cardiac imaging and exercise testing in a cross-sectional study using robust linear regression. Among 463 potential candidates for PVR in the retrospective cohort, estimated time from repair to PVR was 34 years, 22 years and 16 years in patients born in 1940–1976, 1977–1999, and 2000–2021, respectively ( p < 0.001). In total, 153 patients with prior PVR born between 1942 and 2009 were examined in the cross-sectional study. Estimated right ventricular end-systolic volume index was lower by 5.43 mL/m 2 per decade ( p = 0.02), estimated right ventricular ejection fraction increased by 2.08% per decade ( p = 0.01). Left ventricular volumes, left ventricular ejection fraction and exercise capacity was not more favorable in later eras. The timing of PVR has shifted toward earlier intervention over time. The temporal shift toward earlier PVR coincided with lower right ventricular end-systolic volume index and higher right ventricular ejection fraction after PVR, whereas left ventricular parameters and exercise capacity showed no clear temporal change. These findings are compatible with, but do not prove, a beneficial effect of earlier intervention. Graphical Abstract Overview of temporal changes in the timing of pulmonary valve replacement and impact on outcomes. The median time from repair to pulmonary valve replacement for each birth era was based on a nationwide cohort of patients with tetralogy of Fallot and estimated using the cumulative incidence function. The temporal trends in ventricular volumes, ventricular function and exercise capacity were estimated based on the results from patients who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, transthoracic echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing as part of a national multicentre cross-sectional study and estimated using robust regression methods
Gröning et al. (Mon,) conducted a observational in Tetralogy of Fallot (n=938). Birth era 2000-2021 (contemporary management) vs. Birth era 1940-1976 (historical management) was evaluated on Estimated time from intracardiac repair to pulmonary valve replacement (years) (p=<0.001). The estimated time from intracardiac repair to pulmonary valve replacement decreased significantly from 34 years in patients born 1940-1976 to 16 years in those born 2000-2021, coinciding with lower right ventricular end-systolic volume index.