Balloon Expandable Stents for Coarctation of the Aorta: Current Status and Technical Considerations: Case Report
Kritvikrom Durongpisitkul, MD*, Duangmanee Laohaprasitiporn, MD*, Prakul Chanthong, MD**, Pradit Panchavinnin, MD***
Affiliation : * Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University ** Her Majesty Cardiac Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University *** Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Background : Balloon expandable stents have been used to manage coarctation of the aorta (Co) in selected
patients with very encouraging results.
Materials and Methods : The authors report here the first group of patients with Co who underwent a successful
implantation of the new Palmaz GenesisTM stent with intermediate term follow up.
Results : There were 5 patients with an age range from 14 to 23 years old. All of them had significant Co and
were receiving multiple anti-hypertensive medications. Primary stenting was performed in all patients. All of
them had an immediate relief of the gradient. All antihypertensive medications were discontinued immediately
in 4 patients. All patients had one year follow up which revealed a minimum gradient. One patient continues
to receive oral antihypertensive medication.
Conclusion : In patients with coarctation of the aorta (native or recoarctation of aorta), stent implantation
may be a feasible and improved option to relieve the stenosis. Short and mid term followup of these patients
have shown encouraging results.
Keywords : Coarctation of aorta, angioplasty, stent, balloon dilatation
