A Case of Coarctation of the Aorta Treated with Balloon Angioplasty

ABSTRACT

Balloon dilatation angioplasty was performed in a 15 months old child with isolated discrete unoperated coarctation of the aorta. The peak systolic pressure gradient across the coarctation before balloon angioplasty was 80 mmHg, and immediately after balloon angioplasty it decreased to 19 mmHg. No significant complications were encountered during the procedure. No evidence of aneurysm formation and restenosis was seen on 6 months follow-up examination. Balloon dilatation angioplasty seems to be a safe and effective nonsurgical alternative for relieving the obstruction associated with discrete coarctation of the aorta.