Late complications and treatment options of aortic coarctation operated in childhood

Abstract

The prevalence of congenital aortic coarctation is 4 in 10 000 live birth. Aortic coarctation is typically located in the aortic isthmus, but it may occur at atypical sites. Treatment options include both surgical and endovascular interventions. In patients undergoing surgical or endovascular intervention late complications such as recoarctation or aortic aneurysm may develop. The aim of the authors was to analyse their own experience in late complication and treatment options of aortic coarctation operated in childhood. Retrospective analysis of data of 32 patients treated between 1980 and 2014 for late complications 8-42 years after surgical treatment of aortic coarctation. In 28 patients aneurysm formation after isthmic patch plasty was found. Two patients had aortobronchial fistula, 2 patients showed anastomosis disruption and 2 patients had graft stenosis. During operation hybrid solution was performed in 23 patients, isthmic aorto-aortic inlay graft interposition in 5 patients, aorto-aortic bypass in 2 patients, subclavio-aortic bypass in 2 patients, graft patch plasty in one patient and ilio-renal bypass in one patient. Complications included severe intraoperative bleeding in one patient and pneumothorax in one patient. No early or late mortality occurred. The authors conclude that life long control is mandatory in order to detect late complications in patients who underwent operation of aortic coarctation in childhood.