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. 2013 Aug;9(3):211–219. doi: 10.2174/1573403X113099990032

Coarctation of the Aorta - The Current State of Surgical and Transcatheter Therapies

Jeffrey E Vergales 1,*, James J Gangemi 2, Karen S Rhueban 1, D Scott Lim 1
PMCID: PMC3780346  PMID: 23909637

Abstract

Aortic coarctation represents a distinct anatomic obstruction as blood moves from the ascending to the descending aorta and can present in a range of ages from infancy to adulthood. While it is often an isolated and discrete narrowing, it can also be seen in the more extreme scenario of severe arch hypoplasia as seen in the hypoplastic left heart syndrome or in conjunction with numerous other congenital heart defects. Since the first description of an anatomic surgical repair over sixty years ago, an evolution of both surgical and transcatheter therapies has occurred allowing clinicians to manage and treat this disease with excellent results and low morbidity and mortality. This review focuses on the current state of both transcatheter and surgical therapies, paying special attention to recent data on long-term follow-up of both approaches. Further, current thoughts will be explored about future therapeutic options that attempt to improve upon historical long-term outcomes.

Keywords: Balloon angioplasty, coarctation of the aorta, stent, surgery.

INTRODUCTION

Coarctation of the aorta has previously been defined as a congenital stenosis of the aorta, often occurring in the juxtaductal position. It can be associated with other lesions including a patent ductus arteriosus [1], ventricular septal defect [2], bicuspid aortic valve [3] and a variety of left-sided obstructive lesions including hypoplastic left heart syndrome [4, 5]. The first pathologic description of aortic coarctation was documented by Morgagni in 1760 [6] with initial operative outcomes published in 1945 by Crafoord and Gross [7, 8]. Since then, numerous excellent reviews and primary literature have described the embryologic theories [9, 10], natural history [11] and clinical diagnosis of this disease [12, 13]. This review will briefly summarize the current anatomic and diagnostic issues before focusing on the various therapeutic options and current knowledge of long-term outcomes of coarctation of the aorta.

ANATOMIC CONSIDERATIONS

Coarctation of the aorta is often a discrete obstruction commonly located in the descending thoracic aorta. More specifically, it is usually located in the juxtaductal position immediately distal to the left-subclavian artery in a left-sided arch (Fig. 1). Infrequently, it can also exist in the transverse aortic arch and abdominal aorta, or be a part of a long-segment arch hypoplasia as seen in various left-sided obstructive lesions such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome [5]. When it is located in the more common juxtaductal position, it is frequently associated with distal displacement of the left subclavian artery which can easily be seen by echocardiography or angiography as an increased distance between the takeoff of the left carotid artery and that of the left subclavian artery. The right subclavian artery can often arise aberrantly distal to the origins of the other head and neck vessels [14]. While it can exist in isolation, its frequent association with other congenital defects such as a patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, bicuspid aortic valve, and left-sided obstructive lesions makes it prudent to identify the complete intracardiac anatomy [1-5, 14].

Fig. (1).

Fig. (1)

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Angiogram of aortic coarctation in an infant. The solid black arrow denotes discrete coarctation just distal to the takeoff of the left subclavian artery in what is commonly the juxtaductal position.

DIAGNOSIS

The hallmark clinical finding in coarctation of the aorta is hypertension proximal to the lesion, with diminished blood pressure distal to the obstruction. Consequently, clinical diagnosis can be made by the presence of diminished lower extremity pulses, differences in timing between upper extremity central pulses (often brachial) and lower extremity central pulses (often femoral), or the presence of a supine arm-leg blood pressure gradient. In patients with an aberrant right subclavian artery, all four extremities may be supplied by vessels distal to the obstruction, thus making diagnosis difficult. In neonates, a patent ductus arteriosus may help by limiting the degree of physiologic obstruction around a juxtaductal coarctation, but at the expense of possibly obscuring the diagnosis. Therefore, a neonatal coarctation may not manifest itself until the ductal tissue fully constricts [9].

Transthoracic echocardiographic techniques have become the standard in confirming clinical suspicion of coarctation [12, 13]. This can best be demonstrated in the suprasternal view by demonstrating a narrowed aortic lumen in addition to measuring of the Doppler derived gradient across the coarcted segment (Fig. 2). In older patients where acoustic windows may be suboptimal, it can be difficult to visualize the descending aortic segment of concern. In these patients, magnetic resonance imaging (Fig. 3) and less often computed tomography scanning has become the modality of choice in the evaluation and management of both native and recurrent coarctations [15-19]. This includes being able to make accurate predictions about severity of the coarctation gradient as seen at the time of cardiac catheterization [20].

Fig. (2).

Fig. (2)

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Panel A shows a two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram from the suprasternal view demonstrating a discrete narrowing just distal to the take-off of the left subclavian artery. This individual did not have a displaced left subclavian artery but instead had an aberrant right subclavian artery originating near the coarctation (not shown). Note the continuous high velocity color Doppler signal across the hypoplastic coarctation segment (Panel B).

Fig. (3).

Fig. (3)

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Magnetic resonance imaging of a 13 year-old female with a history of coarctation repair by end-to-end anastomosis as an infant. Hypertension, with a 20 mmHg extremity gradient seen during follow-up, led to further evaluation which revealed a discrete area of recoarctation (white arrow). She successfully underwent endovascular stenting and is currently doing well.

THERAPEUTIC CONSIDERATIONS

The indications for therapeutic intervention for coarctation are clear for the neonate struggling with or at risk for hemodynamic collapse from significant obstruction or with evidence of multiple left-sided obstructive lesions. However, indications for intervention are less clear for asymptomatic patients with mild hypertension and a documented blood pressure gradient between their upper and lower extremities. Campbell’s natural history study on coarctation suggests an increase in mortality and median lifespan of just 31 years secondary to congestive heart failure, aortic rupture and an increased risk of endocarditis for those who remain unrepaired [11]. Most authors still utilize a blood pressure gradient greater than 20 mmHg as a significant coarctation warranting intervention. For recurrent chronic obstructions, however, the presence of significant aortic collaterals may reduce the perceived gradient in comparison to anatomic severity, making additional imaging modalities necessary in the initial diagnosis and follow-up of these patients [21].

HISTORICAL THERAPEUTIC OPTIONS

Resection with End-to-End Anastomosis

The first surgical therapy documented for coarctation was performed separately by Crafoord and Gross in 1945 through a lateral thoracotomy and involved resection of the coarcted segment followed by a direct suture anastomosis of the transected ends [7, 8]. High recoarctation rates complicated this approach, particularly when performed in neonates [22-25]. Consequently, it has for the most part been abandoned for newer surgical techniques that do not involve a circumferential suture line.

Patch Aortoplasty

Concerns about high recoarctation rates following end-to-end anastomosis led to attempts to augment the coarcted segment with prosthetic material [26]. Similar to the initial approach, after ligation and division of ductal tissue through a thoracotomy, the aorta is cross-clamped proximal and distal to the coarcted segment. A longitudinal incision is then performed along the lateral aortic wall through the obstructed area and a prosthetic patch is sutured across the incision which enlarges the vessel lumen. Initially, the prosthetic material used was made of Dacron [27]. While this technique originally demonstrated a lower rate of recoarctation [28], it fell out of favor when significant aneurysms were seen developing on the wall opposite the prosthetic graft in 20-40% of cases [27, 29-31]. Polytetrafluoroethylene was thought to reduce the mechanical factors believed to lead to aneurysm formation by being more distensible than Dacron [32], but still demonstrated a recoarctation rate of 25% along with a 7% aneurysm rate [33].

Patch aortoplasty is still being used, however, in the setting of more complex aortic arch reconstructions. This is especially evident in severe arch hypoplasia, as seen in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, where the transverse arch is augmented with cryopreserved pulmonary artery allograft [34]. Recoarctation rates upwards of 30% in these patients are currently being seen [35, 36], but long-term aneurysm formation at this time has not been described.

Subclavian Flap Aortoplasty

This technique, which utilizes one’s own tissue, was first described by Waldhausen [37] in 1966 but did not move into mainstream practice until many years later in an attempt to reduce long-term complication rates. Like the other techniques, it is performed through a lateral thoracotomy with the aorta being cross-clamped proximal to the left subclavian artery and distal to the coarctation. After ligation and division of the ductus arteriosus, the left subclavian artery is ligated near the take-off of the left vertebral artery and an incision is made along its underside down onto the aortic isthmus and across the coarctation. This flap of tissue is then folded down on the now-incised coarctation segment and anastomosed to enlarge the vessel lumen. A variation of this technique for arch hypoplasia involves the subclavian flap folded in the reverse onto the proximal hypoplastic portion [38].

Initial proponents of this technique touted lower recoarctation rates in infants because of the use of one’s native tissue to perform the repair [39, 40]. Medium term follow-up, however, demonstrated upwards of a 23% recurrence rate with some aneurysm formation for patients operated on during infancy [41] (Fig. 4). Recent long-term studies have demonstrated similar rates of recoarctation from neonatal repair, but also have shown much lower recurrence rates when the operation was performed on older children (0-3%) [42, 43] (Fig. 5). While severe left arm ischemia is rare, long-term arm length discrepancy and claudication with exercise due to compromised arterial supply has clearly been described [42, 44].

Fig. (4).

Fig. (4)

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Angiogram demonstrating aneurysm development (Panel A, black arrow) in a 13 year-old patient who previously underwent subclavian flap aortoplasty for coarctation of the aorta. Magnetic resonance imaging of a 30 year-old patient in Panel B also demonstrates aneurysm formation (white arrow) after subclavian flap-aortoplasty. Note the absence of the left subclavian artery in both images.

Fig. (5).

Fig. (5)

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Recurrent coarctation shown in this 1-year old patient who previously underwent repair by subclavian flap aortoplasty. The white arrow demonstrates the absent left subclavian artery, while the black arrow demonstrates the recurrent coarctation. Balloon angioplasty successfully reduced the gradient across the obstruction from 80 mmHg to 15mmHg. This patient further has a common origin of the left carotid artery and the innominate artery, a common aortic arch variant.

Coarctation Resection with Extended End-to-End Anastomosis

The preferred method in most surgical centers, coarctation resection with extended end-to-end anastomosis was first described by Amato in 1977 [45] and is currently thought to better deal with residual ductal tissue in addition to the frequently encountered problem of transverse arch hypoplasia. The technique is largely performed through a lateral thoracotomy but occasionally requires a midline sternotomy when more complex reconstructions for aortic arch hypoplasia or other intracardiac repairs are warranted. The proximal clamp is placed across the left subclavian artery or the left carotid obliquely across the transverse arch with the distal clamp being situated inferior to the coarctation site. The ductus arteriosus is then ligated and divided. The coarctation tissue and probable remnant ductal tissue is excised with a beveled incision and the proximal arch is filleted open with extension to the undersurface of the transverse arch. A suture anastomosis is then performed after significant mobilization of the descending aorta.

The most recent data suggests low mortality, shorter cross-clamp times, and lower recoarctation rates at 4-13% looking at patients 5-10 years post-surgery [46-52]. The procedure has low mortality even on patients under two kilograms [53] and has been thought to maintain long-term aortic compliance [54]. Variations on this technique, including end-to-side anastomosis, have demonstrated similar results [46, 49, 55].

Coarctation Resection with Interposition Graft

This technique, while initially used by Gross [56], has been reserved for patients in whom outgrowth of the graft is not a concern, or in patients with long-segment coarctation. After the aorta is cross-clamped and the obstructive tissue resected, a tube graft of either aortic homograft [56] or Dacron [57] is sewn into the aorta, creating an unobstructed path for blood (Fig. 6). The main disadvantage of this technique is that it requires a longer cross-clamp time for two surgical anastomoses to be sewn, and the tube graft will not grow with the patient. Yet, for adult-sized patients presenting with long-segment coarctation, this technique may be preferable at many centers.

Fig. (6).

Fig. (6)

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This patient with a ventricular septal defect and coarctation of the aorta previously underwent ventricular septal defect surgical patch closure and coarctation repair. Recurrence of the coarctation in a long-segment, however, necessitated placement of an interposition graft (black arrow). Recurrent obstruction is seen at the proximal end of the graft (white arrow). Note pacemaker wires related to post-surgical heart block.

CURRENT AND FUTURE TRANSCATHETER THERAPIES

Initially described by Singer in 1982 [58] and Lock in 1983 [59], transcatheter balloon angioplasty has been extensively studied as an alternative to surgical intervention. A balloon angioplasty catheter is advanced retrograde into the aorta across the stenotic area. It is inflated under high pressure to disrupt the intima and medial layers of the coarcted segment [60]. After the balloon is deflated, intraluminal blood pressure causes beneficial remodeling and expansion of the stenotic segment (Fig. 7).

Fig. (7).

Fig. (7)

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This 1 year-old infant presented with post-operative recurrent coarctation of the aorta (Panel A, black arrow) after patch aortoplasty. A high-pressure angioplasty balloon is inflated across the obstructed segment (Panel B), with improvement angiographically (Panel C) and hemodynamically (pressure gradient reduced from 55 mmHg to 10 mmHg).

While procedural success and safety in infants with native coarctation is quite good [61], recurrence rates as high as 80% have been described just a few months post angioplasty [62-65]. Results for native coarctation in adolescents and adults are significantly better with lower recurrence than published surgical rates in the short-term [66-68]. In the long-term, however, direct comparison of surgery and balloon angioplasty for adolescents and adults demonstrates higher recurrence rates and aneurysm formation for angioplasty but higher procedural complications for surgery [69-71].

These results suggest that for native discrete coarctation it is reasonable to initially pursue balloon angioplasty for older children and adults. In infants, however, transcatheter procedures should be considered only a temporizing step prior to eventual surgical repair in select high-risk patients who would benefit from more time before surgery. For recurrent coarctation, however, balloon angioplasty is generally felt to be superior to surgical reintervention due to its high procedural success compared to a greater incidence of surgical complications [72, 73].

For discrete coarctations, balloon angioplasty appears to work quite well, but elastic recoil makes angioplasty for longer hypoplastic segments less successful. Interventional cardiologists have thus begun placing balloon expandable stents across thoracic and abdominal coarctations to improve procedural outcomes [74, 75] (Fig. 8). Acute and intermediate results in older children and adults for both native and recurrent coarctation have shown this technique to be both safe and effective with similar reintervention rates to surgery and fewer complications [76-80]; often, the reintervention necessary is simply redilation of the previously-placed stent. The most frequent complication from this procedure is aneurysm formation from aortic wall injury, which can occur in up to 6% of these patients [76, 78, 79]. Magnetic resonance imaging in patients with stents produces significant artifact, making computed tomography a better modality for monitoring for recurrent obstructions (Fig. 9).

Fig. (8).

Fig. (8)

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This 8 year-old patient with native coarctation of the aorta, as shown in Panel A, had a 50 mmHg gradient across the narrowed segment (black arrow). He underwent angioplasty with stent placement (Panel B, white arrow), completely eliminating the pressure gradient as well as the anatomic obstruction (Panel C).

Fig. (9).

Fig. (9)

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Computed tomography scan with three-dimensional reconstruction in a 22 year-old patient with recurrent coarctation. Note the presence of an endovascular stent in the descending aorta (white arrow) with no proximal aneurysm formation.

Stent implantation in younger children and infants is limited due to concerns for somatic growth of the younger aorta. Traditional stents have been tried with eventual redilation, but long-term outcomes of this approach are lacking [81, 82]. “Open-ring” or growth stents have been suggested as a way to implant stents in infants and young children [83, 84]. These stents can be successfully overdilated to allow for somatic growth, but long-term data on their use is not available.

New on the horizon are biodegradable stents that are made of polymers that will absorb into the body approximately 3-6 months after implantation and are not affected by somatic growth. At the time of absorption, the hope is that enough native coarctation tissue is destroyed making reintervention risks low. A magnesium polymer stent and a Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) stent [85-87] are two types of bioabsorbable devices that have previously shown promise for coronary disease in adults. While the magnesium polymer stent did not pan out for use in coarctation, the PLLA stent appears to be quite effective but has not yet been tested in large groups of young patients.

LONG-TERM CONSIDERATIONS

Regardless of the specific intervention, the aorta in patients with coarctation is truly abnormal post-procedure and may be at risk for to specific complications long-term. Chronic hypertension remains present in a significant number of individuals despite improvement in anatomic obstruction [67, 79, 88, 89]. Recurrence or persistence of aortic coarctation occurs in a small, but significant, percentage of patients regardless of the type of therapeutic approach and how long ago the intervention was performed. Consequently, even patients with isolated and uncomplicated aortic coarctation require serial upper and lower extremity blood pressure measurements as part of life-long follow-up.

Individuals with long-segment arch hypoplasia such as those with hypoplastic left heart syndrome warrant even closer monitoring for recurrent coarctation since ventricular function can deteriorate with persistent obstruction [90]. These fragile patients respond well initially to balloon angioplasty for recurrent coarctation but still have a higher rate of surgical intervention at the time of their next operation [36, 91].

As described earlier, aneurysm development has been noted after transcatheter balloon valvuloplasty, endovascular stenting [78, 79] and to a lesser extent after surgical approach [92]. They have been identified more commonly by magnetic resonance imaging and angiography, but even plain chest films have high sensitivity for detecting aneurysms [29]. The use of covered stents has recently been suggested as a transcatheter approach to handling aortic aneurysms in the setting of coarctation [93].

Endocarditis has been described in the past for patients with native coarctation [94], after surgical repair of coarctation [95] and also post balloon angioplasty [96]. Life-long endocarditis prophylaxis used to be recommended for patients with residual anatomic abnormalities who were undergoing dental work. In 2007, new standardized recommendations were made that limit prophylactic antibiotic use in patients with unrepaired or repaired coarctation. Currently, only those patients who had their coarctations repaired with prosthetic material require endocarditis prophylaxis for a period of 6 months post-procedure [97].

CONCLUSION

There have been significant advances in transcatheter techniques for aortic coarctation in the last thirty years and future innovations are continuing to be developed. Surgical approaches, as well, have evolved to the point of extremely low mortality and infrequent morbidity on even the smallest of infants. With both approaches, there are definitive issues of recoarctation, aneurysm formation and persistent hypertension that require life-long monitoring. Still, aspects of individual patient’s anatomy will continue to drive decision-making for all therapeutic interventions. Continued assessment of long-term data surrounding the most recent transcatheter therapies and the current surgical approaches is necessary to further validate each option.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Declared none.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors confirm that this article content has no conflict of interest.

DISCLOSURE

Part of the information included in this article has been previously published in Current Cardiology Reviews, Volume 1, Number 3, November 2005, pp. 239-246.

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