Tetralogy of Fallot is a complex congenital heart defect characterized by a large ventricular septal defect (hole between the right and left ventricles), pulmonary stenosis (narrowing of the valve and artery that connect the heart with the lungs), an overriding aorta (the aorta - the artery that carries oxygen-rich blood to the body - is shifted over the right ventricle and ventricular septal defect, instead of coming out only from the left ventricle), and right ventricular hypertrophy (the muscle of the right ventricle is thicker than usual). Tetralogy of Fallot causes low oxygen levels in the blood, which can lead to cyanosis (a bluish-purple color to the skin). The cause of this condition is unknown. Treatment involves surgery to repair the heart defects. Sometimes more than one surgery is needed.
Differential diagnosis includes primary pulmonary causes of cyanosis, along with other cyanotic heart lesions, such as critical pulmonary stenosis and transposed arterial trunks (see these terms).
ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Tetralogy of Fallot. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.
A registry supports research by collecting of information about patients that share something in common, such as being diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot. The type of data collected can vary from registry to registry and is based on the goals and purpose of that registry. Some registries collect contact information while others collect more detailed medical information. Learn more about registries.
PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Tetralogy of Fallot. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
Schumacher KR. Tetralogy of Fallot. MedlinePlus. 2011; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001567.htm. Accessed 3/15/2012.
What Is Tetralogy of Fallot?. National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (NHLBI). 2011; http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/tof/. Accessed 3/15/2012.