[Patients surgically treated for aortic coarctation].
The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment of coarctation of the aorta. All patient files on patients operated at Haukeland Hospital, Bergen, Norway, in the period 1975-95 (n = 102) were surveyed. We sent a questionnaire to all patients alive in 1996 (n = 84), and 82 (98%) responded. Six patients (6%) died within 30 days of surgery, and 12 (12%) died later. These mortality numbers were smaller among patients operated in the period 1988-95. Among patients with associated heart defects (n = 28) the numbers were 14% and 25%, respectively. Four patients required reoperation and three patients balloon dilatation. Six of these patients were operated in the period 1975-87. Among the 82 patients that responded to the questionnaire, clinical follow-up by a cardiologist had been discontinued in 35 cases. 31 patients (38%) were not satisfied with the follow-up. Many patients reported muscle fatigue in the legs (30%), reduced exercise performance (29%), headache (26%), general fatigue (22%), and leg pain (17%). 38% did not report any symptoms. Our results are in accordance with previously reported studies, and the mortality numbers were reduced in the second period. The number of recurrences was also reduced in this period. The symptoms reported by many patients may be caused by recoarctation or an abnormal blood pressure. This group of patients should, therefore, be monitored systematically for abnormal blood pressure, recoarctation and aortic valve disease.
Hjerteavdelingen Haukeland Sykehus, Bergen.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Pasienter operert for koarktasjon av aorta.