Correction of tetralogy of Fallot in patients with one pulmonary artery in continuity with the right ventricular outflow tract

Nineteen patients who had a single pulmonary artery in continuity with the right ventricular outflow tract underwent correction of tetralogy of Fallot. Sixteen of these patients had correction into one lung, and seven died in the postoperative period as a result of right heart failure. More recently, three patients with previous end-to-end Blalock-Taussig anastomoses had reconstructive procedures performed to establish blood flow into both pulmonary arteries, and these methods are described and illustrated. These three patients have had excellent late results. Although some patients tolerated correction of tetralogy of Fallot into one lung, re-establishing flow to both lungs is recommended wherever possible.