Abstract
Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of balloon angioplasty (BAP) procedure for treatment of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in children.
Methods: A retrospective study included 27 consecutive children, underwent BAP for either native-CoA (NaCoA) or recoarctation (Re-CoA). Medical records, echocardiographic findings, angiographic and hemodynamic data were collected from the hospital database. Follow-up was scheduled at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after the procedure. The study took place over a period of 4.5 years, from April 2014 to January 2019, in Madinah Cardiac Center, Madinah, Northwest region, Saudi Arabia.
Results: The mean age of patients was 11.86 +/- 8.96 months. Seven children had Na-CoA and 20 children had Re-CoA. The success rate of the procedure was achieved in 23 children (85%), as BAP reduced the mean systolic pressure gradient across the CoA (Na-CoA: from 45.28 +/- 18.3 to 9.8 +/- 6.57 mm Hg, p=0.0009), and in Re-CoA groups (from 42.48 +/- 16.7 to 10.9 +/- 8.5 mm Hg, p<0.0001). In mid-term follow-up, the need for re-intervention occurred in 8 children of the cohort (3 children [42.8%] from the Na-CoA group, and 5 children [25%] from the Re-CoA group).
Conclusions: Balloon angioplasty is considered a safe procedure for the management of CoA, but its efficacy remains questionable especially for young infants with Na-CoA type. However, it is a reliable option for managing Re-CoA children, with a lower rate of future re-intervention.