BALLOON ANGIOPLASTY OF NATIVE COARCTATION OF THE AORTA - MIDTERM FOLLOW-UP AND PROGNOSTIC FACTORS

Objectives. This retrospective analysis was designed to examine the in termediate and long term effects of balloon angioplasty for native coa rctation of the aorta and to determine whether any factors are predict ive 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 pediatri c cardiac catheterization laboratory with evidence of a discrete coarc tation of the aorta. The hemodynamic data, angiograms and clinical rec ords of 102 patients were examined, with follow-up data from 2 to 117 months (median 36.2) available in 92 patients. Results. Immediate succ ess with balloon angioplasty was achieved in 93 (91.2%) of the 102 pat ients. Seventy-one patients (77.2%) with intermediate follow-up data ( range 12 to 117 months) available are asymptomatic and normotensive, w ith insignificant arm to leg blood pressure gradients (less than or eq ual to 20 mm Hg). Twenty-one patients (22.8%) with an initial successf ul result developed an increase in gradient 2 at 86 months after angio plasty, requiring reintervention in 18. Follow-up >72 months is availa ble 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 reangioplas ty or operation 14 days to 10 months (median 4.6 months) after angiopl asty. Transverse arch hypoplasia had minimal effect on follow-up blood pressure gradient, whereas isthmic hypoplasia was associated with rei ntervention in 50%. A small aneurysm was noted in 2 (1.9%) of 102 pati ents. Conclusions. Balloon angioplasty of native aortic coarctation is effective in infants and older children. In neonates, balloon angiopl asty provides effective palliation only. Aneurysm formation is rare; h owever, lifetime follow-up is warranted.