ENDOVASCULAR TECHNIQUES IN ADULT AORTIC COARCTATION - THE USE OF STENTS FOR NATIVE AND RECURRENT COARCTATION REPAIR

Purpose: To report initial experiences with stent implantation in the treatment of native and recurrent aortic coarctation in adults. Method s: Two adult patients were diagnosed with aortic coarctation: in one, the native aorta was involved, and in the other, the stenosis involved a prior coarctation repair. Both patients were offered and selected a ngioplasty with possible stent implantation as an alternative to surge ry. Results: In the patient with recurrent narrowing, thrombolysis and balloon dilation preceded the successful deployment of three Palmaz s tents along the grafted segment. In the case of native disease, one Pa lmaz stent was implanted primarily at the site of a critical, focal st enosis. No complications were encountered, and recovery was uneventful . Follow-up at 12 and 6 months, respectively, showed sustained clinica l improvement with resolution of symptoms and excellent hemodynamic va lues. Conclusion: The positive outcome in these early cases supports f urther evaluation of the efficacy of adjunctive or primary stenting fo r treatment of native or recurrent aortic coarctation in adults.