title: Interventional therapy for coarctation of the aorta.
abstract: The optimal interventional management of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) remains controversial. Although some are strong advocates for surgery, the timing of operation in elective cases has been a matter of debate. Among those who advocate balloon angioplasty, some recommend dilation only of recurrent CoA. Others recommend dilation of native CoA, but only beyond a certain age. Finally, some are strong proponents of balloon angioplasty, even in the neonatal period, recognizing the need for reintervention (balloon dilation or surgery) in a significant proportion of patients. Recent reports suggest similar or slightly superior acute results of balloon dilation for native compared with recurrent CoA. Balloon-expandable stents are being used increasingly in complex CoAs and in failed dilations. A large multicenter study is required to determine the respective clinical roles of surgery and balloon dilation in the management of CoA.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of California at San Diego Medical Center, San Diego 92103, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rothman
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000191:economics; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D017722:Hospital Charges; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents