A Successful Stenting of the Coarctation of the Distal Thoracic Aorta (Middle Aortic Syndrome) in an Adult

An isolated coarctation of the lower descending thoracic aorta in adults is a very rare vascular disorder. To the best of our knowledge, the treatment of a coarctation of the descending aorta (middle aortic syndrome) in an adult, using stenting, has never been reported in Korea. A 44 year-old male, suffering from claudication of the both legs for 25 years, was admitted to our hospital. An aortogram revealed a coarctation of the distal thoracic aorta at the T11 level, with a 60 mmHg peak systolic pressure gradient across the lesion. A balloon angioplasty, followed by an 18×40 mm stent implantation, was performed successfully. The peak systolic pressure gradient decreased from 60 mmHg to 15 mmHg. The patient’s symptom was relieved after stenting, with no significant adverse events observed during a three-month clinical follow-up. (Korean Circulation J 2004;34(4):420-424)