Total arch replacement for coarctation of the aorta in an adolescent.

A 16-year-old boy suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage and underwent open head surgery. He was subsequently diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta and referred to our hospital. The coarctation was at the distal transverse arch, just at the site of branching of the subclavian artery. Total arch replacement with selective cerebral perfusion was selected because of the short hypoplastic arch. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, and was doing well 3 years after the surgery.