R. Sailer et al., AORTIC COARCTATION PRESENTING WITH LIFE-T HREATENING COMPLICATIONS ASTHE FIRST SYMPTOM IN ADOLESCENTS, Monatsschrift fur Kinderheilkunde, 145(5), 1997, pp. 477-481
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.