[Balloon angioplasty as the primary treatment for coarctation of the aorta in 30 children; immediate results and follow-up].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the results of balloon dilatation in coarctation of the aorta in children.


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Lekkerkerker
J C
JC
Afd. Kinderhartcentrum, Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht, Utrecht.
Walhout
R J
RJ
Hutter
P A
PA
Sreeram
N
N
Bennink
G B
GB
Meijboom
E J
EJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome