12. Percutaneous balloon angioplasty for critical aortic coarctation in newborns and infants: Is it still a valid option?

BackgroundCoarctation of aorta may present as severe heart failure in infants and may lead to myocardial dysfunction. Current evidence supports surgical management of neonatal coarctation. However, it can be precarious in critically sick infants.Aim and objectiveTo investigate the safety, efficacy, immediate and mid-term outcome of percutaneous balloon angioplasty (BAP) for infantile aortic coarctation in critically sick patients.Methods and patientsData of all patients under age of 6months who underwent balloon angioplasty for coarctation were reviewed.ResultsBetween January 2008 and April 2014, 15 infants were identified with coarctation with a mean weight of 3.4kg (1.4–5kg) and median age of 54days (4–142days). All patients were critically sick, needed admission in intensive care unit for inotropic or ventilatory support. All underwent successful percutaneous balloon angioplasty with no major complications. The clinical condition and left ventricular function improved leading to discontinuation of prostaglandin and weaning from inotrope and ventilator support. Seven patients underwent elective surgical repair after a mean time of one month, three needed re-dilation and five continued without any further intervention.ConclusionsSurgical repair for native neonatal and infantile coarctation is a preferred choice of treatment but it can be challenging in critically sick patients. However, balloon dilation remains a safe and effective temporary palliation for the critically sick patients. Despite of high incidence of restenosis, some patients do not need for mid-term further intervention