Can Tetralogy of Fallot be cured?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on May 19, 2025
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Tetralogy of Fallot consists of four types of cardiac malformations: first, a ventricular septal defect; second, right ventricular outflow tract obstruction; third, an overriding aorta; and fourth, right ventricular hypertrophy. The main treatment for this condition is surgical repair. In recent years, there have been continual advancements in surgical procedures. Many children undergo a definitive one-stage surgery in early childhood, which can completely cure the condition. Thus, if the symptoms are mild, a definitive surgery can be performed in one stage. If the symptoms are more severe, a palliative shunt surgery may be performed first, followed by the definitive surgery when the general condition improves, and it can still be cured.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Tetralogy of Fallot Common Symptoms

The clinical manifestations of Tetralogy of Fallot include, firstly, cyanosis as the primary clinical symptom. The degree and onset of cyanosis are related to the severity of pulmonary stenosis, and it often appears in areas with abundant capillaries such as lips, fingers, toes, nail beds, and bulbar conjunctiva. Secondly, squatting symptoms are common among children; they often spontaneously squat for a while during walking or playing. Squatting, with the legs bent, reduces the venous return and thus decreases the load on the heart, temporarily relieving symptoms of hypoxia by reducing the right-to-left shunt. Thirdly, clubbing occurs due to long-term hypoxic conditions, which can cause capillary dilation and proliferation in the fingers and toes, and the local soft tissues and bones also grow and enlarge; fourthly, paroxysmal hypoxic attacks, which are most common in infants, can be triggered by breastfeeding, crying, emotional excitement, or anemia. These attacks suddenly occur and can lead to severe symptoms including difficulty breathing, fainting, convulsions, and even death.

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Written by Chen Guang Yin
Cardiology
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Can Tetralogy of Fallot receive oxygen therapy?

Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that includes abnormalities such as ventricular septal defects, pulmonary valve stenosis, and stenosis of the right ventricular outflow tract. Due to these congenital defects, the ejection of blood from the heart is affected, which in turn impacts the blood supply to various systems and organs throughout the body. The patient may exhibit symptoms of cyanosis and hypoxia, especially after physical activity, hence the use of supplemental oxygen is advisable. While oxygen therapy can temporarily alleviate these hypoxic symptoms, it does not address the underlying issue. Surgery is necessary for a definitive resolution.

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Written by Chen Guang Yin
Cardiology
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Can someone with Tetralogy of Fallot have a second child?

Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital cardiac defect that has not been found to have a definite genetic relationship, meaning no chromosomal abnormalities have been discovered. However, congenital heart disease does tend to occur within families to a certain extent, indicating some level of familial predisposition. The primary cause, however, is believed to be related to viral infections during the first three months of pregnancy or the use of certain medications. Therefore, we believe that parents of a child with Tetralogy of Fallot can consider having a second child.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Tetralogy of Fallot is caused by what?

Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease in childhood, consisting of four abnormalities: ventricular septal defect, obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract, overriding aorta, and hypertrophy of the right ventricle. Congenital heart disease generally stems from abnormal cardiovascular development during the fetal period, resulting in a complex vascular malformation. The occurrence of cardiovascular malformations is mainly due to the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The causes of congenital heart disease have not been fully clarified yet, but it is important to reinforce prenatal care, especially by actively preventing viral infections early in pregnancy and avoiding certain high-risk factors related to the disease to prevent congenital heart disease in children.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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What position should be adopted when Tetralogy of Fallot is hypoxic?

Treatment of hypoxic episodes in Tetralogy of Fallot: For mild cases, assuming the knee-chest position can alleviate symptoms. Severe cases require immediate oxygen administration and relevant drug therapy. Routinely, it is important to actively eliminate factors that trigger hypoxic episodes, such as anemia and infections, and maintain the child's tranquility. If the above treatments do not effectively control the episodes, emergency surgical intervention for repair or definitive treatment should be considered.