title: [Short- and mid-term results of balloon angioplasty in the treatment of aortic coarctation in children].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated short- and mid-term results of balloon angioplasty performed in pediatric patients with aortic coarctation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 20 children (12 boys, 8 girls; mean age 3.4+/-3.7 years; range 15 days to 13 years) who underwent balloon angioplasty for aortic coarctation. The patients were assessed by transthoracic echocardiography for left ventricular functions and recoarctation within a mean follow-up period of 19.6+/-15.3 months (range 1 to 48 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean peak systolic gradients were 49.8+/-14.7 mmHg and 9.3+/-11.1 mmHg before and just after balloon angioplasty, respectively (p<0.05). Decrease in the gradients was not sufficient in three cases. During the follow-up period, transient loss of lower extremity pulses was seen in two cases, and a small aneurysmal formation in one case. Procedure-related mortality did not occur. The mean left ventricle mass index decreased by 4.3% following the procedure (p>0.05). Despite successful balloon angioplasty, hypertension persisted in two cases whose ages were 11 and 13 years, respectively. Restenoses were observed in five cases within a mean of six months, which were dealt with by surgical resection and end-to-end anastomosis in four cases, and by subclavian flap angioplasty in one case. Despite surgical resection-anastomosis and subclavian flap angioplasty, two patients developed restenosis, for which repeat balloon angioplasty was planned.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering its short- and mid-term results, balloon angioplasty is a successful and reliable procedure in the treatment of aortic coarctation.
authors.affiliation: Sifa Kalp Merkezi Izmir.
authors.forename: Faik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Okur
authors.forename: Vedide
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tavli
authors.forename: Türkay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saritaş
authors.forename: Talat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tavli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey