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Stent Repair for Complex Coarctation of Aorta
José Suárez de Lezo1, Miguel Romero1, Manuel Pan1
1Department of Cardiology, Reina Sofia University Hospital, University of Córdoba and Instituto Maimónides para la Investigación Biomédica en Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
Insights
Stent repair is a safe and feasible treatment for complex coarctation of the aorta, even with challenging conditions like aortic arch interruption or aneurysms. Long-term follow-up shows sustained positive outcomes and high survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Interventional Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital heart defect requiring intervention.
- Stent repair offers a percutaneous alternative to surgical correction for CoA.
- Complex anatomical variations can present challenges in CoA treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and safety of stent repair for complex coarctation of the aorta.
- To identify challenging anatomic or evolving characteristics that may complicate treatment.
- To assess long-term outcomes of percutaneous treatment in complex CoA cases.
Main Methods:
- A 21-year retrospective analysis of percutaneous stent repair for complex coarctation of the aorta.
- Inclusion criteria for complexity: aortic arch interruption, associated aneurysms, complex stenosis, or need for re-expansion/restenting.
- Detailed analysis of patient demographics, procedural characteristics, and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- The study included 58 patients with complex coarctation, with 33% having multiple complicating factors.
- Two early deaths (3.4%) occurred within 1 month.
- At a mean follow-up of 10 years, 95% of patients were symptom-free with normal blood pressure and patent aorta, achieving a 15-year actuarial survival of 92%.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous stent repair is a feasible and safe treatment for complex coarctation of the aorta.
- The procedure demonstrates durable results with sustained patency and low rates of adverse events at long-term follow-up.
- Stent repair provides a viable option for patients with challenging aortic arch anatomy and coarctation.
Objectives:
This study sought to determine whether several anatomic or evolving characteristics of the coarctation may create challenging conditions for treatment.
Background:
Stent repair of coarctation of aorta is an alternative to surgical correction.
Methods:
We analyzed our 21-year experience in the percutaneous treatment of complex coarctation of aorta. Adverse conditions for treatment were as follow: 1) complete interruption of the aortic arch (n = 11); 2) associated aneurysm (n = 18); 3) complex stenosis (n = 30); and 4) the need for re-expansion and/or restenting (n = 21). Twenty patients (33%) belonged to more than 1 group. Ten interruptions were type A and 1 was type B. The mean length of the interrupted aorta was 9 ± 11 mm. The associated aneurysms were native in 8 patients and after previous intervention in 10 patients. Aneurysm shapes were fusiform in 8 patients and saccular in 10. The following characteristics defined complex stenosis as long diffuse stenosis, very tortuous coarctation, or stenosis involving a main branch or an unusual location. Patients previously stented at an early age, required re-expansion and/or restenting after reaching 16 ± 5 years of age.
Results:
Two patients had died by 1-month follow-up. The remaining 58 patients did well and were followed-up for a mean period of 10 ± 6 years. Late adverse events occurred in 3 patients (5%). All remaining patients are symptom-free, with normal baseline blood pressure. Imaging techniques revealed good patency at follow-up without associated aneurysm or restenosis. The actuarial survival free probability of all complex patients at 15 years was 92%.
Conclusions:
Stent repair of complex coarctation of aorta is feasible and safe. Initial results are maintained at later follow-up.
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