COARCTATION OF THE AORTA. FOLLOw‐UP OF 218 PATIENTS OPERATED ON AFTER 13 YEARS OF AGE

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Patients (218) aged 13 yr or more at operation for coarctation of the aorta were selected for a long-term postoperative follow-up study. The mean age at operation was 25.3 yr, range 13-62 yr, and the mean follow-up period was 13 yr, range 2-28 yr. The surgical mortality rate was 1.4%, all 3 patients being in their 4th decade. There were 35 late deaths (16.3%), 26 having cardiovascular disease as the causation; 3 patients developed a dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta, and 11 died suddenly of unknown causes. Persisting hypertension was found in .apprx. 1/3 of the patients. A highly significant correlation was demonstrated between the systolic blood pressures before and after surgery. Aortic valve disease occurred in 31 patients (14.2%). Coarctation of the aorta should be operated on in childhood, and a close postoperative longterm follow-up in all patients is recommended.