Extended Resection and End-to-End Anastomosis for Aortic Coarctation in Infants: Results of a Tailored Surgical Approach

Background The surgical repair of aortic coarctation in infants has evolved over time. This study evaluates our current approach utilizing extended end-to-end anastomosis without prosthetic material to enlarge all areas of aortic arch hypoplasia. Methods The Michigan Congenital Heart Center database was reviewed for infants who underwent repair of isolated aortic coarctation from January 1, 1990, to January 1, 2000. Results Eighty-three infants underwent surgical repair of isolated coarctation during this decade. Median age at repair was 21 days (range, 2 to 365). Repair was performed through thoracotomy in 72 patients. Because of severe transverse arch hypoplasia, the remaining 11 infants underwent median sternotomy with circulatory arrest. There were 2 deaths: 1 due to pulmonary hypertension in a patient with alveolar capillary dysplasia and 1 late death due to pneumonia in a patient with noncardiac anomalies. Neither patient had residual coarctation. Technique-related complications of bronchial compression, chylothorax, and vocal cord paralysis were noted in 4 patients. Follow-up data were available for 66 patients (80%) with mean follow-up duration of 4.5 years (SD ± 3.1). Reintervention was required in 4 patients (6%). One underwent reoperation after 1 month, and 3 underwent balloon angioplasty within 7 months of initial repair. The remaining 61 patients are asymptomatic, on no antihypertensive medications, and have aortic arch gradients less than 15 mm Hg. One developed subaortic stenosis necessitating resection. Conclusions Tailored surgical repair for aortic coarctation has a low rate (6%) of residual and recurrent coarctation even when performed in infants. Mortality and morbidity are low.