Bailout stenting for critical coarctation in premature/critical/complex/early recoarcted neonates

Background: Surgical repair of critical coarctation can be problematic in premature, critical, complex, or early postoperative neonates. Objectives: We aimed to review our experience with stent implantation to defer urgent surgery to an elective time. Methods: Fifteen neonates with severe aortic coarctation: five premature‐hypotrophic (1,400–2,000 g), six critical and complex cardiac malformation, four early (1 day [0–2 days]; median [range]) after surgical coarctectomy or complex arch reconstruction. Bare coronary stents (diameter 4.0 [3.5–5.0] mm; length 10 [8–16] mm) were used. Stents were removed surgically depending on clinical needs. Results: Adequate aortic flow was obtained in 15 patients. The femoral artery was preserved in 13/15 patients. Two deaths occurred before stent removal and were nonprocedure related. In patients with simple stented coarctation, the stent was removed after 2.8 [0.2–5.0] months. In complex cardiac malformation, stents were finally removed 3.0 [0.2–78] months after implantation. Surgical technique: simple coarctectomy end‐to‐end in eight, extensive arch patch reconstruction in four. One patient is awaiting stent removal. The final maximum systolic velocity (cw‐Doppler) across the aortic arch was 1.7 [1.2–2.5] m/sec. Conclusions: In premature/critical/complex neonates with severe coarctation, bailout stenting followed by early or late surgical coarctectomy appears a promising concept. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.