Hypoplasia of descending aorta as a rare cause of hypertension. A report of 5 cases.

Five cases of hypoplasia of the descending thoracic and/or abdominal aorta as a rare cause of hypertension are presented. Similarities and dissimilarities between this lesion and classical coarctation of the aorta are discussed. Management of the resulting hypertension is usually medical, as surgical therapy is extremely difficult due to the diffuse involvement of the entire aorta and its branches.