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Coarctation of the aorta in infants under one year of age
Abstract
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.
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