The Quantitative Anatomy of Cyanotic Tetralogy of Fallot

A quantitative analysis was made of hearts with tetralogy of Fallot without operative procedures, with pulmonary atresia, with total repair, and with old Potts anastomosis and total repair. Useful data thus obtained were as follows: In simple tetralogy the left ventricle has a tendency to volume atrophy. The tricuspid orifice has a tendency to be smaller than normal. In tetralogy with pulmonary atresia, the aortic orifice has a tendency to be larger, and the mitral orifice smaller than in ordinary tetralogy. In tetralogy after total repair, the heart is increased in weight 24 to 48 hours later probably related to manipulation of the right ventricle. The tricuspid and aortic orifices have a tendency to be smaller than previously, probably related to the technic of closure of the ventricular septal defect. This is not the case where an aorticopulmonary anastomosis has been previously done before total repair.