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[Remote results of corrective surgery for aortic coarctation in newborn infants and infants]
Insights
Early surgery for symptomatic coarctation of the aorta in infants is crucial, especially with heart defects. While risky in newborns, surgery significantly improves outcomes for infants with coarctation of the aorta.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Neonatal Surgery
Context:
- Coarctation of the aorta is a serious congenital heart defect.
- Symptomatic cases in neonates and infants often present with complex cardiovascular malformations.
- Early surgical intervention is frequently necessary.
Purpose:
- To review outcomes of surgical correction for symptomatic coarctation of the aorta in neonates and infants.
- To analyze operative risk, late complications, and the impact of associated malformations.
Summary:
- A review of 122 cases indicated early surgery for coarctation of the aorta is often required due to associated defects.
- Operative risk is high (42%) in newborns under one month but drops significantly (5%) thereafter.
- Restenosis (36%) is the main late complication; persistent hypertension is rare in this group.
Impact:
- Early surgical correction is vital for improving survival rates in infants with coarctation of the aorta.
- Understanding age-related operative risks guides surgical timing and management strategies.
- The risk of restenosis should not preclude life-saving surgery in deteriorating patients.
Abstract:
A review of 122 cases of symptomatic coarctation of the aorta in neonates and infants confirmed the need for early corrective surgery in the majority of cases, in relation to the usual coexistence of associated cardiovascular malformations. The operative risk in the newborn up to one month of age was very high (42 %) but fell very sharply thereafter (5%). Restenosis was the principal late complication (36 %), persistent hypertension being rare in this age group. The risk of restenosis (not a significant vital risk during secondary surgery) should not weigh in the balance against life saving surgery where clinical deterioration is observed despite medical therapy or due to associated malformations.