BLALOCK-TAUSSIG ANASTOMOSIS FOR TETRALOGY OF FALLOT: A TEN-TO-FIFTEEN YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Abstract
Thirty patients with Fallot''s tetralogy who have had a Blalock-Taussig operation performed 10 or more years ago have been studied 67% have survived, are clinically improved, and leading relatively normal lives. In a group of untreated patients followed for the same period of time, 25% have survived. The Blalock-Taussig operation has a low mortality and the results are good. Since the mortality for total correction of Fallot''s tetralogy is still high, the former operation is to be perferred, at least in childhood. Two patients who developed pulmonary hypertension are described.