BALLOON ANGIOPLASTY IN NATIVE AORTIC COARCTATION: RESULT S IN SHIRAZ AND REVIEW OF ARTICLES

Balloon angioplasty for aortic coarctation was introduced in 1979 for the fust time.1 This procedure soon became the choice treatment for restenosis of operated coarctation,2-5 but remains controversial for native (unoperated) coarctation. However, it seems to be rapidly becoming the intervention of choice for relief of unoperated coarctation as well. In this study, we evaluate the outcome of this procedure in 16 patients with native aortic coarctation, between September 1992 and May 1995. In all patients, dilation was performed successfully and provided significant reduction of pressure gradients (p<0.001). The peak systolic pressure gradient across the coarcted site decreased significantly from 46.2±4.8 mmHg (mean±SD) to 12.2±2.5 mmHg (mean±SD). Two patients were complicated by development of a small aneurysm, and one with reopening of the ductus arteriosus (one had both), but no instances of rupture of aorta and/or death. This suggests the possibility of acceptance of this new therapeutic strategy for native coarctation of the aorta . However, further evaluation of its benefits and safety is recommended