endovascular stent for coarctation of the aorta in a child and review of the literature

An 11-year-old, 35-kg boy underwent balloon angioplasty twice, at the ages of 4 years and 10 years, with only limited effect. He was admitted for another cardiac catheterization because of chest pain and breathlessness on exercise. Aortography revealed severe discrete coarctation of the aorta, with the narrowest diameter of 6 mm. The pressures of the ascending aorta and descending aorta were 115/72 mmHg and 93/66 mmHg, respectively. After implantation of a 16-mm-diameter stent, the systolic pressure gradient decreased from 22 mmHg to 0 mmHg. Annual follow-up for 6 years showed normal blood pressure, no exercise intolerance, and no recoarctation.