AORTIC COARCTATION PRESENTING WITH LIFE-T HREATENING COMPLICATIONS ASTHE FIRST SYMPTOM IN ADOLESCENTS

Of four male patients with delayed diagnosis of aortic coarctation at an age between 11 years and 14 years 9 months, three presented with li fe-threatening complications like subarachnoidal hemorrhage in one pat ient, rupture of the dilated ascending aorta followed by aortic dissec ation in the other and rupture of a poststenotic aneurysm of the desce nding aorta with perforation into the esophagus in the third. All pati ents were operated successfully. Postoperatively, they had severe arte rial hypertension requiring antihypertensive medication.Discussion. La ck of subjective symptoms in these patients is due to the development of extensive collateral circulation. Early diagnosis of aortic coarcta tion is critical to prevent complications. Surgical correction of asym ptomatic coarctation should be performed in the second year of life.