The best way to use pulmonary z scores for the repair of tetralogy of Fallot

What is it about?

Pulmonary annulus z-score is often used to decide whether a transannular patch should be inserted. Several z-score cut offs have been quoted in the literature and this is confusing. We show that the the multiple z score cut offs quoted in the literature may have resulted from the use of z scores derived from different populations. This may have implications for the use of cut offs representing small pulmonary valve annuli.

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Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash

Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash

Why is it important?

If you use a pulmonary valve z score cut off that is too small, you will not adequately relieve right ventricular outflow obstruction.

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