The challenges of an aging tetralogy of Fallot population

Introduction: Advancements in surgery and management have resulted in a growing population of aging adults with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). As a result, there has been a parallel growth in late complications associated with the sequelae from the underlying cardiac anomalies as well as the surgical and other interventional treatments. Areas covered: Here, we review challenges related to an aging population of patients with TOF, particularly late complications, and highlight advances in management and key areas for future research. Pulmonary regurgitation, heart failure, arrhythmias, and aortic complications are some of these late complications. There is also a growing incidence of acquired cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes associated with aging. Management of these late complications and acquired comorbidities continues to evolve as research provides insights into long-term outcomes from medical therapies and surgical interventions. Expert opinion: The management of an aging TOF population will continue to transform with advances in imaging technologies to identify subclinical disease and valve replacement technologies that will prevent and mitigate disease progression. In the coming years, we speculate that there will be more data to support the use of novel heart failure therapies in TOF and consensus guidelines on the management of refractory arrhythmias and aortic complications.

Automated summary

Advancements in surgery and management have led to an increasing number of older patients with tetralogy of Fallot, resulting in various late complications. With the rising incidence of age-related diseases, the management of these late complications will continue to evolve as research provides insights into long-term outcomes. Futuristically, there may be more data to support novel heart failure therapies and consensus guidelines on the management of refractory arrhythmias and aortic complications in this aging TOF population.