Aneurysms complicating coarctation of the aorta: anatomic aspects and evolution. Report of six successful surgical cases.

Six cases of coarctation of the aorta with aneurysms are reported. The 6 patients have been successfully operated with resection of the aneurysm and replacement of the aorta by a Dacron graft. The different anatomic characteristics are described. The authors emphasize the frequency of other aneurysms upstream of the coarctation, the risk of rupture (2 cases out of 6) and the technical difficulty of the operative procedure in comparison with a common coarctation. Aneurysm formation is a rare but severe sequel of coarctation in the adult and underlines the importance of surgical treatment of this lesion in childhood.