Main Article Content

Coarctation of the aorta in infants under one year of age


S. Milner
S.E. Levin
P.E. Marchand
D.N. Fuller

Abstract

During the 10-year period 1962 - 1971, coarctation of the aorta was diagnosed within the first 5 months of life in 35 hospital cases. Of these, 29 (83%) were symptomatic, and 18 (54%) underwent surgery to correct the coarctation. Thirteen of the 18 patients (72%) survived the procedure. Of the 5 patients who died, 2 had single-ventricle complexes, and 1 had an associated ventricular septal defect and died at a subsequent operation for pulmonary artery banding. One patient who survived had a thoracotomy with no procedure done to the aorta.

All survivors were followed up for at least 1 year. Residual gradients were found in 6 of the 12 patients (50%), but classified as severe in only 2 cases.
Of the 11 patients who were symptomatic but who did not undergo surgery, 7 died (mortality 63%). There were 6 remaining patients who were asymptomatic. There have been 3 deaths in this series-all unrelated to their cardiac pathology.

It is strongly recommended that young babies with coarctation of the aorta, who develop congestive cardiac failure, undergo 36 - 48 hours of medical therapy, after which surgical resection of the coiucted segment is carried out. This approach offers the best prospects for survival.

S. Afr. Med. J, 48, 397 (1974).


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2078-5135
print ISSN: 0256-9574