Late magnetic resonance s coarctation of t

Abstract

Ma ildren trust l, NHS ry 20 European Journal of Cardio-thoracic SObjective: Coarctation of the aorta has often been described as a simple form of congenital heart disease. However, rates of re-coarctation reported in the literature vary from 7 % to 60%. Re-coarctation of the aorta may lead to worsening systemic hypertension, coronary artery disease and/or congestive cardiac failure. We aimed to describe the rates of re-coarctation in subjects who had undergone early coarctation repair (<2 years of age) and referred for clinically indicated or routine magnetic resonance (MR) surveillance. Methods: We retrospectively identified 50 consecutive subjects (20.2 6.9 years post-repair) imaged between 2004 and 2008. Patient characteristics, rates of re-coarctation and LV/aortic dimensions were examined. Results: Forty percent of subjects had bicuspid aortic valves (BAV). There were 40 cases of end-to-end repair and 10 cases of subclavian flap repair. Re-intervention with balloon angioplasty or repeat surgery had been performed in 32 % of subjects. The MRI referrals were clinically indicated in 34 % and routine in 66 % of patients. Re-coarctation was consideredmoderate or severe in 34%,mild in 34 % and no re-coarctation was identified in 32 % of patients. There was no significant difference in the number of cases of re-coarctation identified in the clinically indicated versus routine referrals for MR imaging (p = 0.20). There were no cases of aortic dissection or aneurysm formation identifie