Results After Surgical Correction of Coarctation of the Aorta in Adults

Abstract

Aim: This retrospective study aimed to determine the impact of coarctation surgical repair on arterial blood pressure in adults over 18 years of age. Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 17 patients with aortic coarctation in QSUT, Cardiac Surgery Service, from January 2007 to March 2024. Results: 22 patients with coarctation of the aorta included in this study were mostly male12(70%) versus 5 (30%) females. All patients had preoperative hypertension. Main systolic blood pressure was 160 ± 28mm Hg (range, 120 to 220 mm Hg). All patients had preoperative CT Angiography (the mean gradient across the coarctation was 62 ± 27 mm Hg). After surgical repair, the mean gradient was 24 ±4.3 mmHg. The operative technique was an extra-anatomic bypass for 22 patients. Of the 22 patients with preoperative hypertension, 5 were normotensive (systolic blood pressure ≤ 140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure ≤ 90 mm Hg) with no medication. 4 patients were receiving medication: 1 required single-drug therapy, and 3 patients required two drugs. There were no repeat operations. No patient had evidence of a cerebrovascular accident. There were no hospital deaths and no late morbidity. Conclusions: Surgical repair of coarctation in adults has proved to be an effective procedure and significantly reduces arterial hypertension. However, long-term surveillance is mandatory and should include exercise testing to identify patients with potential hypertension. Echocardiography is the most patient’s friendly method to evaluate CoA.