Immediate gradient reduction is similar after balloon coarctation angioplasty and surgical treatment of unoperated coarctation of the aorta. The risks of aneurysm formation and possibly restenosis after angioplasty are higher than after surgery, although the risks of other complications are similar. Balloon coarctation angioplasty may provide an effective initial alternative to surgical repair of unoperated coarctation of the aorta in children beyond infancy, particularly in patients with a well-developed isthmus. Further follow-up is necessary to determine the long-term risks of postangioplasty aneurysms.

No abstract

From 1986 to 1988, balloon aortic valvuloplasty was performed in 32 patients with congenital valvular aortic stenosis. The patients ranged in age from 2 days to 28 years (mean +/- SD 8.3 +/- 5.9). One balloon was used in 17 patients and two balloons were used in 15 patients. Immediately after valvuloplasty, peak systolic pressure gradient across the aortic valve decreased significantly from 77 +/- 27 to 23 +/- 16 mm Hg (p less than 0.01), a 70% reduction in gradient. At early follow-up study (4.1 +/- 3.3 months after valvuloplasty), there was a 48 +/- 20.5% reduction in gradient compared with that before valvuloplasty, and at late follow-up evaluation (19.2 +/- 5.6 months), a reduction in gradient of 40 +/- 29% persisted. Echocardiography showed evidence of significantly increased aortic regurgitation in 10 patients (31%) and aortic valve prolapse in 7 patients (22%). There was no correlation between the balloon/anulus ratio and the subsequent development of aortic regurgitation or prolapse. In fact, no patient who showed a significant increase in aortic regurgitation had had a balloon/anulus ratio greater than 100%. It is concluded that balloon aortic valvuloplasty effectively reduces peak systolic pressure gradient across the aortic valve in patients with congenital aortic stenosis. However, subsequent aortic regurgitation and prolapse occur in a significant number of patients, even if appropriate technique and a balloon size no greater than that of the aortic anulus are used.

Transaxillary thoracotomy without tube thoracostomy and with critical pathway methods allows safe and effective ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus with early hospital discharge. This surgical method has similar cost, higher efficacy rate, and applicability in all patients as compared with newer transcatheter coil occlusion techniques for closure of a patent ductus arteriosus.