[Diagnosis of aortic coarctation using digital techniques]

In order to analyse a contribution of digital techniques in diagnostics of the aortic coarctation (CoA), a grow up of patients in whom the aforesaid disease was found, has been described.

There were examined, within 1986 and 1998, 12 patients suspected of CoA and 2 patients were subjected to medical check up of state after operation of this anomaly. There was 12 (86%) men and 2 (14%) women. Six patients were children. Average age of the patients was 25 years. The youngest was 6 and the oldest 51 years old. 12 patients underwent the intravenous digital subtraction angiography, 3 patients underwent computed tomography, and 1 patient was subjected to magnetic resonance imaging.

There has been found CoA in 10 male patients and pseudo-coarctation of the aorta in 2 female patients advanced in years. A satisfactory diagnostics was possible by use of any of the three methods.

Noninvasive methods of examination, intravenous-digital subtraction angiography (IV-DSA), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) are and more alternatives to invasive angiographic examinations. Magnetic resonance is suitable especially in pediatrics since radiation could be avoided.