[Pulmonary hypertension: a serious complication in the postoperative period of tetralogy of Fallot]. / Hipertensão arterial pulmonar: séria complicação no pós-operatório de tetralogia de Fallot.

ABSTRACT

Among 1,142 patients who underwent total correction of tetralogy of Fallot from May of 1960 to december of 1986, five (0.43%) presented refractory cardiac failure. Pre and postoperative control was based on symptoms and clinical signals, electrocardiogram, conventional radiographies, cardiac catheterism, cineangiocardiography, and necropsy in one case. The evolution in immediate and late postoperative periods were not good. One patient deceased in the first day after surgery the others had complications as severe pulmonary insufficiency, diffuse and severe hypocontractibility of the right ventricle, with three late decreases. Only one patient is alive, with congestive cardiac failure hardly controllable.