THE USE OF STENTS FOR THE PALLIATIVE TREATMENT OF TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Abstract

This study aimed to review the clinical, technical, and hemodynamic aspects of the use of stents in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) as a palliative strategy in patients with Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), especially in cases with complex anatomy or high surgical risk. An integrative literature review was performed in the PubMed and BVS databases, with publications between 2020 and 2025, including clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports. After applying eligibility criteria, 25 studies were selected. The results demonstrated that stent implantation, compared to the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt, has advantages such as shorter hospital stay, early surgical correction, and clinical stability, without increased mortality. Although there is a risk of reinterventions, these were generally planned and safe. Clinical cases have highlighted the effectiveness of stents even in critical situations, such as in neonates with pulmonary atresia or septic shock, supported by technologies such as 3D/4D fetal echocardiography and imaging software. It is concluded that the use of stents represents an effective, safe and minimally invasive alternative in the palliative care of ToF, offering better preparation for definitive correction and expanding therapeutic possibilities in complex congenital heart diseases.