DISSECTION OF THE DESCENDING AORTA AFTER BALLOON ANGIOPLASTY OF NATIVE COARCTATION

A 12-year-old girl underwent successful balloon angioplasty for a wais t-like native coarctation, The balloon size/coarctation diameter ratio was 3.3. Postdilatation angiography showed a small aneurysm at the co arctation site. On frequent review the patient remained symptom-free a nd normotensive. Recatheterization was performed 14 months after ballo on aortoplasty, when angiography revealed a massive aortic dissection extending from the origin of the Left subclavian artery to both iliac arteries, She underwent partial replacement of the thoracic aorta, Bal loon angioplasty of a narrow waist-like native coarctation may lead to extensive wall dissection and should be considered critically.