Balloon angioplasty as the primary treatment for coarctation of the aorta in 30 children; immediate results and follow-up
Lekkerkerker, J.C.; Walhout, R.J.; Hutter, P.A.; Sreeram, N.; Bennink, G.B.; Meijboom, E.J.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 144(43): 2057-2061
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 11072509 Document Number: 524424
Evaluation of the results of balloon dilatation in coarctation of the aorta in children. Retrospective. In the years 1990-1999 30 patients with a congenital coarctation of the aorta were treated with balloon angioplasty in the Children's Heart Centre of Utrecht University Medical Centre, the Netherlands. The group comprised 5 girls and 25 boys, with a mean age of 4.8 years (range 1 month-16 years) without severe associated congenital heart defects or a long segment coarctation. Follow-up included Doppler echocardiography and MRI within the first 6 years after the procedure. The fall of the pressure gradient was assessed with Student's t-test for paired observations and the reintervention period was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. No children died. Of 30 procedures performed, 28 (93%) were considered successful. Mean pressure gradient was reduced from 36.2 mmHg (SD: 12.7) to 13.1 mmHg (SD: 9.3) (p < 0.001). Mean follow-up was 4.1 years; the follow-up of 11 patients was longer than 5 years. Four patients (13%) developed a recoarctation. No aneurysm formation was encountered (n = 14). Balloon angioplasty for the treatment of native coarctation of the aorta in children may be an efficient and not very damaging solution for this selected group of patients.