[Balloon percutaneous angioplasty in postoperative aortic coarctation].

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty has been documented as a useful procedure in the treatment of recurrent coarctation of the aorta. In this project we present our experience and results.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty was performed in 7 children with postsurgical coarctation of the aorta. Six of them had previous coarctation of the aorta and one had a iatrogenic result of a persistent ductus arteriosus operation.

RESULTS

Mean pressure difference across the coarctation decreased from mean = 51 +/- 16 mmHg to mean = 14 +/- 6 mmHg after the angioplasty and mean diameter of the aortic lumen at the coarctation site increased from mean = 3.6 +/- 1.4 to mean = 8.7 +/- 1.2 mm. All patients are asymptomatic and normotensive at least during the following two years after the procedure. Only the patient who had iatrogenic coarctation still has a residual gradient of 30 mmHg. There were not any major complications during the procedure or after it.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty is a safe and effective procedure in the treatment of postsurgical coarctation of the aorta.