Prognosis of Surgically Corrected Coarctation of the Aorta

Abstract

A long-term retrospective analysis of 248 patients, 11-25 years after surgical correction of coarctation of the aorta, revealed a high incidence of premature cardiovascular disease. Twelve percent of patients with follow-up have died. It is suggested that premature death in patients with adequate surgical repair may be related to the duration of preoperative hypertension. Fifty-nine patients were evaluated on a standard hospital protocol. Seventy-eight percent had evidence of cardiovascular disease and over 40% had no change or had increased blood pressure over the preoperative value. These data emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for patients with coarctation of the aorta as well as the need for close postoperative follow-up.