The role of balloon dilation for native coarctation in neonates is controversial, due to
the relatively high recurrence rate. Balloon dilation may however provide adequate
palliation in preterm infants, by relieving symptoms and allowing somatic growth until
definitive surgical repair can be performed. We report successful balloon angioplasty,
on 2 occasions, in a preterm neonate with coarctation of the aorta and associated left
ventricular cardiomyopathy.peer-reviewe