Coarctation of the aorta: lifelong surveillance is mandatory following surgical repair

Objectives: The objective of our study was to review the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing surgical repair of aortic coarctation.

Background: Surgical repair of aortic coarctation has been performed at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, for over 60 years.

Methods: Between 1946 and 2005, 819 patients with isolated coarctation of the aorta underwent primary operative repair. Medical records were reviewed and questionnaires mailed to the patients.

Results: Mean age at repair was 17.2 ± 13.6 years. The majority (83%) had pre-operative hypertension. Operations included simple and extended end-to-end anastomosis (n = 632), patch angioplasty (n = 72), interposition grafting (n = 49), bypass grafting (n = 30), and subclavian flap or "other" (n = 35). Overall early mortality (<30 days) was 2.4%. In the previous 30 years (n = 225), there were no operative deaths. Mean follow-up was 17.4 ± 13.9 years, with a maximum of 59.3 years. Actuarial survival rates were 93.3%, 86.4%, and 73.5% at 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. When compared to an age- and sex-matched population, long-term survival was decreased (p < 0.001). Older age at repair (>20 yrs) and pre-operative hypertension were associated with decreased survival (p < 0.001). Patients age <9 years age at repair had significantly less hypertension at 5 to 15 years of follow-up (p < 0.001). Rates of freedom from re-intervention on the descending aorta were 96.7%, 92.2%, and 89.4% at 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. Younger age at time of repair (p < 0.001) and an end-to-end anastomosis technique (p < 0.001) were independently associated with lower rates of re-intervention on the descending aorta.

Conclusions: Primary repair of isolated coarctation of the aorta was performed with a low rate of mortality. However, long-term survival was reduced compared with that in an age- and sex-matched population, and many patients required further reoperation. These findings emphasize that patients with aortic coarctation need early recognition and intervention, as well as lifelong informed follow-up.