Balloon angioplasty of native coarctation of the aorta: midterm follow-up and prognostic factors

Texas Children's Hospital, Houston 77030.

OBJECTIVES, This retrospective analysis was designed to examine the intermediate and long-term effects of balloon angioplasty for native coarctation of the aorta and to determine whether any factors are predictive of outcome. BACKGROUND. Balloon angioplasty for native coarctation of the aorta is controversial. Concerns exist over lack of long-term follow-up and possible formation of aneurysms. The role of transverse arch and isthmus hypoplasia after balloon dilation is unknown. METHODS. Included in the study were all patients 3 days to 29 years old (mean age 4.6 years) referred for possible balloon dilation to the pediatric cardiac catheterization laboratory with evidence of a discrete coarctation of the aorta. The hemodynamic data, angiograms and clinical records of 102 patients were examined, with follow-up data from 2 to 117 months (median 36.2) available in 92 patients. RESULTS. Immediate success with balloon angioplasty was achieved in 93 (91.2%) of the 102 patients. Seventy-one patients (77.2%) with intermediate follow-up data (range 12 to 117 months) available are asymptomatic and normotensive, with insignificant arm to leg blood pressure gradients (< or = 20 mm Hg). Twenty-one patients (22.8%) with an initial successful result developed an increase in gradient 2 at 86 months after angioplasty, requiring reintervention in 18. Follow-up > 72 months is available in 17 patients, 16 of whom are normotensive and have not required additional intervention. No additional intervention was needed in 88.4% of older children and infants > 7 months old. Ten of the 13 surviving neonates who initially had a successful dilation required reangioplasty or operation 14 days to 10 months (median 4.6 months) after angioplasty. Transverse arch hypoplasia had minimal effect on follow-up blood pressure gradient, whereas isthmic hypoplasia was associated with reintervention in 50%. A small aneurysm was noted in 2 (1.9%) of 102 patients. CONCLUSIONS. Balloon angioplasty of native aortic coarctation is effective in infants and older children. In neonates, balloon angioplasty provides effective palliation only. Aneurysm formation is rare; however, lifetime follow-up is warranted.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. F. Feltes, E. Bacha, R. H. Beekman III, J. P. Cheatham, J. A. Feinstein, A. S. Gomes, Z. M. Hijazi, F. F. Ing, M. de Moor, W. R. Morrow, et al. Indications for Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention in Pediatric Cardiac Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Circulation, June 7, 2011; 123(22): 2607 - 2652. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Chakrabarti, D. Kenny, G. Morgan, S. L. Curtis, M. C. K. Hamilton, P. Wilde, A. J. Tometzki, M. S. Turner, and R. P. Martin Balloon expandable stent implantation for native and recurrent coarctation of the aorta--prospective computed tomography assessment of stent integrity, aneurysm formation and stenosis relief Heart, August 1, 2010; 96(15): 1212 - 1216. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				U. R. Mohan, S. Danon, D. Levi, D. Connolly, and J. W. Moore Stent Implantation for Coarctation of the Aorta in Children <30 kg J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. Intv., September 1, 2009; 2(9): 877 - 883. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Sudarshan, A. D. Cochrane, Z. H. Jun, R. Soto, and C. P. Brizard Repair of Coarctation of the Aorta in Infants Weighing Less Than 2 Kilograms Ann. Thorac. Surg., July 1, 2006; 82(1): 158 - 163. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Tzifa, P. Ewert, G. Brzezinska-Rajszys, B. Peters, M. Zubrzycka, E. Rosenthal, F. Berger, and S. A. Qureshi Covered Cheatham-Platinum Stents for Aortic Coarctation: Early and Intermediate-Term Results J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 4, 2006; 47(7): 1457 - 1463. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Carr, J. J. Amato, and R. S.D. Higgins Long-Term Results of Surgical Coarctectomy in the Adolescent and Young Adult With 18-Year Follow-Up Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2005; 79(6): 1950 - 1956. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. J. Walhout, J. C. Lekkerkerker, G. H. Oron, G. B. W. E. Bennink, and E. J. Meijboom Comparison of surgical repair with balloon angioplasty for native coarctation in patients from 3 months to 16 years of age Eur J Cardiothorac Surg, May 1, 2004; 25(5): 722 - 727. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. E. Fawzy, M. Awad, W. Hassan, Y. Al Kadhi, M. Shoukri, and F. Fadley Long-term outcome (up to 15 years) of balloon angioplasty of discrete native coarctation of the aorta in adolescents and adults J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 17, 2004; 43(6): 1062 - 1067. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Hamdan, S. Maheshwari, J. T. Fahey, and W. E. Hellenbrand Endovascular stents for coarctation of the aorta: initial results and intermediate-term follow-up J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., November 1, 2001; 38(5): 1518 - 1523. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D A Harrison, P R McLaughlin, C Lazzam, M Connelly, and L N Benson Endovascular stents in the management of coarctation of the aorta in the adolescent and adult: one year follow up Heart, May 1, 2001; 85(5): 561 - 566. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				B D Thanopoulos, L Hadjinikolaou, G N Konstadopoulou, G S Tsaousis, F Triposkiadis, and P Spirou Stent treatment for coarctation of the aorta: intermediate term follow up and technical considerations Heart, July 1, 2000; 84(1): 65 - 70. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Ovaert, B. W. McCrindle, D. Nykanen, C. MacDonald, R. M. Freedom, and L. N. Benson Balloon angioplasty of native coarctation: clinical outcomes and predictors of success J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 15, 2000; 35(4): 988 - 996. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A G Magee, G Brzezinska-Rajszys, S A Qureshi, E Rosenthal, M Zubrzycka, J Ksiazyk, and M Tynan Stent implantation for aortic coarctation and recoarctation Heart, November 1, 1999; 82(5): 600 - 606. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G. S. Shirali, C. E. Cephus, M. A. Kuhn, K. K. Ogata, L. K. Vander Dussen, R. E. Chinnock, N. F. Mulla, J. K. Johnston, L. L. Bailey, S. R. Gundry, et al. Posttransplant recoarctation of the aorta: a twelve year experience J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 1, 1998; 32(2): 509 - 514. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. D. Allen, R. H. Beekman III, A. Garson Jr, Z. M. Hijazi, C. Mullins, M. P. O'Laughlin, and K. A. Taubert Pediatric Therapeutic Cardiac Catheterization : A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, American Heart Association Circulation, February 17, 1998; 97(6): 609 - 625. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. F. Kaine, E. O'Brian Smith, A. R. Mott, C. E. Mullins, and T. Geva Quantitative Echocardiographic Analysis of the Aortic Arch Predicts Outcome of Balloon Angioplasty of Native Coarctation of the Aorta Circulation, September 1, 1996; 94(5): 1056 - 1062. [Abstract] [Full Text]