Redilation of e-PTFE covered CP stents.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the possibility to redilate covered Cheatham-Platinum stents during follow-up, in particular in growing children with aortic coarctation.


BACKGROUND
There are no data in the literature about the redilation of ePTFE covered CP stents.


METHODS
Sixty covered CP stents were implanted in patients with aortic coarctation or recoarctation between January 2004 and October 2007. Seven patients (mean age 14.2 +/- 3.7 years) needed to repeat the hemodynamic study due to somatic growth and increase of aortic gradient with the occurrence of systemic hypertension. Two had near-atretic aortic coarctation, three had postsurgical recoarctation and aneurysm formation, one had native aortic coarctation associated with aneurysm of the arterial wall, and one had severe native aortic coarctation.


RESULTS
Procedures were performed a mean of 20 +/- 5 months (range, 12-24 months) after the primary stent implantation. Fluoroscopy time ranged between 7 and 15 min (median, 10 min) whereas procedure time ranged between 60 and 75 min (median, 65 min). After redilation the gradient across the stenosis decreased from a median value of 35 mm Hg to a median value of 5 mm Hg. The stent diameter increased of 20-50% the predilation value. No complications occurred and angiographic controls showed that the stenoses have been relieved.


RESULTS
During a median follow-up of 12 months (6-30 months) the results were stable without complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Covered Cheatham-Platinum stents can be easily redilated.
Butera
Gianfranco
G
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, GUCH unit and Cardiac Surgery-Policlinico San Donato IRCCS, San Donato Milanese, Italy. gianfra.but@lycos.com
Gaio
Gianpiero
G
Carminati
Mario
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001027:Aortography; D002404:Catheterization; D002648:Child; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D010984:Platinum; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D010984:Platinum; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene