Transverse arch hypoplasia may predispose patients to aneurysm formation after patch repair of aortic coarctation.

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysm after patch repair of aortic coarctation is a potentially lethal complication. We hypothesized that transverse arch hypoplasia in association with patch repair of aortic coarctation predisposes aneurysm formation.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients undergoing isolated aortic coarctation repair at the University of Virginia Health Systems between 1970 and 1995.

Complications of coarctation repair.

Surgery's role in the treatment of coarctation has been established, and the benefit to life expectancy and quality of life is undeniable. Three postaortic coarctation repair complications are discussed, with review of existing literature: recurrent or residual aortic coarctation, postrepair aneurysm formation, and spinal cord ischemia. Incidence, potential causative factors, and outcome of surgical or transcatheter treatment for recurrent and residual aortic coarctation are reviewed.