Remote results of corrective surgery for aortic coarctation in newborn infants and infants

A review of 122 cases of symptomatic coarctation of the aorta in neonates and infants confirmed the need for early corrective surgery in the majority of cases, in relation to the usual coexistence of associated cardiovascular malformations. The operative risk in the newborn up to one month of age was very high (42 %) but fell very sharply thereafter (5%). Restenosis was the principal late complication (36 %), persistent hypertension being rare in this age group. The risk of restenosis (not a significant vital risk during secondary surgery) should not weigh in the balance against life saving surgery where clinical deterioration is observed despite medical therapy or due to associated malformations.