Tetralogy of Fallot

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Cyanotic 'Tet spell'

Heart, section through the middle

Tetralogy of Fallot

TET; TOF

• Difficult feeding (poor feeding habits)
• Failure to gain weight
• Poor development
• Cyanosis which becomes more pronounced during periods of agitation
• Passing out
• Sudden death
• Clubbing of fingers (skin or bone enlargement around the finger nails)
• Squatting during episodes of cyanosis

A physical examination with a stethoscope almost always reveals a heart murmur.

Tests may include:

• EKG (electrocardiogram) may show the thickening of the right ventricle muscle
• CBC may show an increase in red blood cells
• Chest x-ray may show a "boot shaped" heart and dark lungs
• Cardiac catheterization helps show blood vessels in the lungs and heart
• Echocardiogram provides a definite diagnosis

Review Date: 06/27/2006
Reviewed By: Anne J. L. Chun, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.