What is aortic coarctation repair?
Coarctation of the aorta is an abnormal narrowing of the aorta. The aorta is the large blood vessel that exits the heart and supplies the body with oxygen-rich blood. Transcatheter repair is a type of procedure that can treat the abnormal narrowing of the aorta without the need for open heart surgery.
What incision is frequently used for pediatric aortic coarctation repair?
Surgery for coarctation of the aorta is typically done through a thoracotomy. A thoracotomy is an incision on the upper left side of the back.
Is coarctation of the aorta a left to right shunt?
VSD is frequently present, and coarctation exacerbates the associated left-to-right shunt. Other levels of left heart obstruction (aortic stenosis, subaortic stenosis) may be present and may add to LV afterload.
Is coarctation of aorta curable?
Coarctation of the aorta can be cured with surgery. Symptoms quickly get better after surgery. However, there is an increased risk for death due to heart problems among those who have had their aorta repaired.
Is aortic coarctation serious?
Coarctation of the aorta is often considered a critical congenital heart defect (critical CHD) because if the narrowing is severe enough and it is not diagnosed, the baby may have serious problems soon after birth.
Why does radio femoral delay coarctation of aorta?
The coarctation typically occurs after the left subclavian artery. However, if situated before it, blood flow to the left arm is compromised and asynchronous or radial pulses of different “strength” may be detected (normal on the right arm, weak or delayed on the left), termed radio-radial delay.
When to have surgery for coarctation of aorta?
About 50% of the children who undergo coarctation repair are treated within the first few months of life. The age of repair for the other 50% spans a wide range, though most cases are identified and repaired during childhood. On rare occasion, adults whose condition has gone undetected undergo an operation.
Where is the incision for aortic narrowing located?
The standard approach for discrete aortic narrowing is via an incision between the ribs on the left side of the chest. The aorta sits very far back in the chest cavity next to the spine.
How long does it take to cut out an aorta?
They then cut out the segment and sew the two ends of the aorta together, usually overlapping the segments to address any milder narrowing of the adjacent segments of the aorta. The operation usually takes 2-3 hours. The portion of the operation in which the segment is cut out and the two ends are brought together is typically 15-20 minutes.
What is the risk of re-narrowing after coarctation surgery?
This can occur in anywhere from 2-10% of children after coarctation surgery, with statistics indicating the risk of re-narrowing is greater in younger children. Historical data suggest that babies under three months of age had a 25% incidence of re-coarctation. More current experience suggests a lower incidence of around 2-5%.