Correlation Between Total Repair Timing and Late Aortic Root Dilatation in Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot

Aortic root dilatation is frequently encountered in adults with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The timing of total repair is known to have a significant correlation with late aortic root dilatation, but it is not well established. The objective of this study was to investigate the risk factors and correlation with timing of total repair for aortic root dilatation in adults with repaired TOF. An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted in 314 adults (≥ 18 years) with repaired TOF. Aortic root dilatation was defined when the absolute diameter of Sinus of Valsalva (SoV) was over 40 mm. SoV was measured by echocardiography in 110 patients, computed tomography angiography in 168 patients, and magnetic resonance image in 36 patients. Aortic root dilatation was observed in 65 patients (20.7%). Among them, 3 patients underwent Bentall operation due to acute aortic dissection or aortic root aneurysm. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, age at total repair was a significant risk factor for late aortic root dilatation (OR = 3.14; 95% CI 1.62–6.08; p = 0.001) and the cutoff value of age was 1.9 years. However, late aortic root dilatation was also observed in 10% of patients (10/91) who operated before 1 year of age. Late total repair was a significant risk factor for late aortic root dilatation in repaired TOF. However, early total repair did not always prevent late aortic root dilatation. These results suggest that congenital aortic pathology may also be a possible cause of aortic root dilatation along with longstanding hemodynamic stress.