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Published on: October 6, 2022
Coarctation of the thoracic aorta: an 18-year experience
Insights
Surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta in infants has a high mortality rate due to associated defects. Early correction in older children significantly reduces mortality and prevents long-term hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital heart defect requiring surgical intervention.
- Infants with coarctation often present with severe symptoms and multiple cardiac anomalies.
- Older patients may present with hypertension or be asymptomatic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of surgical correction for coarctation of the aorta in different age groups.
- To compare mortality rates and long-term complications between infants and older children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 80 patients undergoing coarctation repair between 1960 and 1978.
- Categorization of patients into two groups: infants (<3 months) and older children (≥3 months).
- Analysis of surgical procedures, mortality, and postoperative complications.
Main Results:
- Infants (<3 months) had a high mortality rate (58%) primarily due to associated cardiac defects.
- Older patients (≥3 months) experienced a low operative mortality rate (two deaths).
- Complications in older patients included paradoxical hypertension, recurrent coarctation, and false aneurysms.
Conclusions:
- Surgical correction of coarctation in infants is associated with high mortality due to complex congenital heart disease.
- Early surgical intervention in older children offers minimal operative risk and prevents long-term sequelae like hypertension.
Abstract:
From 1960 to 1978, 80 patients from 2 weeks to 49 years of age underwent operations for coarctation of the aorta. Twelve patients were under 3 months old, and 68 were older. All of the infants presented with congestive heart failure and multiple cardiac defects. In the older patients, hypertension was the most common presenting symptom; 14 were asymptomatic. All patients under 3 months old received primary correction. Seven (58%) died of complications associated with other cardiac anomalies. In the older group, there was 59 primary reconstructions, six interposition grafts, and three other procedures. There were two deaths in this group. There were three re-explorations, two for bleeding and one for false aneurysm at the suture line. Seven older patients exhibited paradoxical hypertension: three developed abdominal symptoms and two required laparotomy. Three patients originally operated on during infancy developed recurrent coarctation with reoperation in two. Nine of the older patients had chronic hypertension, all of whom were operated on after age 15. Surgical correction of coarctation in infants carries a high mortality rate secondary to associated defects. The operative mortality rate in older patients is minimal, and correction should be undertaken early to prevent the long-standing complications of hypertension.
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