The Society of Thoracic Surgeons / World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery / European…

GuidelineThe Annals of thoracic surgery· Jul 2026

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons / World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery / European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association 2026 Expert Consensus Document on Timing, Indications, and Options for Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Children with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

Elizabeth H Stephens, Jeffrey D Zampi, George E Sarris … Jennifer S Nelson

SurgeryGuidelineClinical practiceQ1IF 2.5

Expert panel reached consensus on 13 recommendations for pulmonary valve replacement.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons / World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery / European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association 2026 Expert Consensus Document on Timing, Indications, and Options for Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Children with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

Elizabeth H Stephens … Jennifer S Nelson

The Annals of thoracic surgery · Jul 2026 · Q1 in Respiratory Medicine

Background

Contemporary surgical and medical management has enabled excellent long-term survival and quality of life for children following repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Purpose

This expert consensus document aimed to address those gaps by supporting clinical decision-making regarding the surgical and transcatheter management of chronic pulmonary regurgitation in children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot.

Methods

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce on Evidence Based Surgery assembled a multidisciplinary expert panel composed of congenital surgeons and cardiologists.

Results

13

recommendations

expert panel agreed on recommendations for heart valve replacement in children

More results

The recommendation statements reflect contemporary expert opinion on the timing and decision-making for pulmonary valve replacement in children.

“

Conclusion

While decision-making regarding the management of chronic pulmonary regurgitation after repair of tetralogy of Fallot in children is complex, this document provides guidance for congenital heart teams to optimize management based on a synthesis of contemporary evidence.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons / World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery / European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association 2026 Expert Consensus Document on Timing, Indications, and Options for Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Children with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons / World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery / European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association 2026 Expert Consensus Document on Timing, Indications, and Options for Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Children with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

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