Late results of operation for coarctation of the aorta in patients more than 35 years of age.

Abstract

Between the years 1957 and 1965, 20 patients over 35 years of age were operated upon for coarctation of the aorta, 13 with end-to-end anastomosis and 7 with Dacron graft. There was one hospital death, due to rupture of the suture line, and three late deaths, two of them of aortic valvular disease and one of colonic carcinoma. The remaining 16 patients were followed-up 12–19 years after surgery, 13 with a thorough investigation. Aortic valvular disease was diagnosed in 6 of them, all being in functional capacity class (N.Y.H.A.) II or III, whereas 6 of 7 patients without valvular disease were in class I. The incidence of verified aortic valvular disease in the whole material was 50%. Hypertension (above 160/90 mmHg) was found in 50% of the patients, compared with in 9% in our long-term follow-up of patients operated upon before 16 years of age. There was no difference in the results between patients with end-to-end anastomosis and those with Dacron graft. At catheterization a small pressure difference was ...