[Clinical aspects of hypertension in children with aortic coarctation]. / Aspecte ale hipertensiunii arteriale în coarctatia de aorta la vârsta copilariei.

UNLABELLED: Our study is focused on blood pressure before and after repair of aortic coarctation in childhood. METHODS: A group of 26 children (13 boys, 13 girls, range 1-18 years, of which 12 operated: 9 boys and 3 girls) was studied, blood pressure being followed before and after operation. The recorded blood pressure was compared to normal values for age and height. RESULTS: Before the surgical treatment blood pressure being above normal in all cases, the figures were: "high normal"--6 cases, significant--8 cases and severe hypertension--12 cases. After surgery: 75% normal blood pressure, 25% hypertension (variable degrees). CONCLUSION: Hypertension in aortic coarctation varies from "high normal" to severe. Hypertension got worse during pregnancy in an unoperated girl. In most of children, blood pressure decreased after surgical treatment, being normal in 75% of all cases, in one year after surgery. Persistence of a severe hypertension after surgery signifies presence of an underlying lesion unrecognised yet.