The role of 3D imaging in the follow-up of patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot

OBJECTIVE: The patients with re- paired Tetralogy of Fallot (rToF) are a growing population due to the improvement of surgical management in neonatal age. However, the sig- ni cant pulmonary regurgitation, consequent to the repair, is the most frequent sequelae and leads to a progressive right ventricle dilation over time. The latter, in turn, is responsible for the possible dysfunction of right and/or left ven- tricle and an increased risk of dangerous ven- tricular arrhythmias. Therefore, right ventricle monitoring is necessary for rToF patients and a 3D method is required due to its three anatomi- cal and functional subunits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the 3D modality of choice in the evaluation of both cardiac anatomy and ventricular volumes in rToF patients since it is able to evaluate both the pathophysiology and anatomy, it is free of radiation and, when strict- ly necessary, it uses a non-iodinated contrast agent. Cardiac CT should be considered in the evaluation of the sequelae in rToF only in select- ed cases, given that it implies a radiation dose and iodinated contrast, in addition to not evalu- ating the pathophysiology as MRI.