Outcomes of aortic coarctation surgical repair in adolescents and adults

OBJECTIVES Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in adolescents and adults is relatively rare. Several operative techniques have been reported, but there is no consensus. METHODS From November 1994 to July 2018, a total of 24 adolescents and adults underwent CoA repair. The mean age at operation was 29.9 ± 15.1; 19 (79%) patients were older than 18. Sixteen (67%) patients had arterial hypertension, 5 (21%) patients had bicuspid aortic valve, 4 (17%) patients had descending aneurysm, 2 (8%) patients had ascending aneurysm, 2 (8%) patients had patent ductus arteriosus and 1 (4%) patient had atrial septal defect. Three patients had prior surgery (2 CoA repair, 1 ventricular septal defect repair). RESULTS Surgical corrections included extra-anatomical bypasses in 12 (50%) patients (9: left subclavian artery to descending aorta bypass, 2 proximal-to-distal coarctation bypasses, 1 ascending-to-descending aortic bypass), end-to-end anastomosis in 6 (25%) patients, resections and interpositions of a tube graft in 5 (21%) patients and arch augmentation with a tube graft in 1 (4%) patient. The mean follow-up duration was 6.2 ± 5.1 years. No mortality was observed. No patient required reoperation or reintervention. The mean upper extremity systolic pressure significantly decreased from 142.4 ± 30.3 mmHg preoperatively to 121.1 ± 15.9 mmHg postoperatively (P = 0.002). Arterial pressure gradient between upper and lower extremities significantly decreased from 50.0 ± 21.8 mmHg preoperatively to 9.7 ± 13.5 mmHg postoperatively (P < 0.001). Among patients undergoing left subclavian artery to descending aorta bypass, 8 patients underwent ankle brachial pressure index evaluation. Postoperative mean right- and left-sided ankle brachial pressure index were 0.96 ± 0.16 and 0.94 ± 0.11, respectively. All grafts were patent at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS CoA repair in adolescents and adults showed good outcomes. Left subclavian artery to descending aorta bypass grafting is safe and effective for managing CoA in adolescents and adults.