Paradoxical Hypertension after Successful Cheatham Platinum Stent Implantation in an Adolescent with Coarctation of the Aorta.

Abstract

Stent implantation using a Cheatham Platinum (CP) stent for coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a promising treatment alternative to traditional surgical repair. However, there are no earlier reports in the literature focusing on use of this stent in a Taiwanese patient. Herein we report a 16-year-old boy with CoA presenting with heart murmur and exercise intolerance who underwent successful CP stent placement. However, severe hypertension with arterial blood pressure increasing to 207/104 mmHg occurred four hours after stent implantation. There was no abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. The patient's hypertension was controlled by intravenous nitroglycerin infusion, followed by an oral antihypertensitve agent for the following 7 days. Experience from this case highlighted the usefulness of CP stent implantation for native CoA, and the importance of early recognition and management of paradoxical hypertension after CoA stenting.