What are the kinds of repair of coarctation of the aorta?
Twenty years ago, surgery was the only treatment available for aortic coarctation. Surgery is still considered the gold standard, but today treatment options for adults with this condition also include balloon angioplasty, stenting, stent grafting, or hybrid repair (a combination of open surgery and stent grafts).
What is pediatric aortic coarctation?
What is coarctation of the aorta in children? Coarctation of the aorta (COA) is a heart defect that is present at birth (congenital). It means the aorta is narrower than it should be. The aorta is the large artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle to the body.
What is aortic coarctation repair?
Coarctation of the aorta is an abnormal narrowing of the aorta. The aorta is the large blood vessel that exits the heart and supplies the body with oxygen-rich blood. Transcatheter repair is a type of procedure that can treat the abnormal narrowing of the aorta without the need for open heart surgery.
What percent of children have coarctation of the aorta?
Coarctation of the aorta occurs in about 6 to 8 percent of all children with congenital heart disease, and twice as frequently in boys.
What to do if your child has aortic coarctation?
After the repair, your child’s cardiologist may advise your child to take antibiotics before surgeries or procedures, such as dental work. This is done to prevent infection. As the child grows, the aorta may again become narrow. If this happens, another balloon procedure or surgery may be done.
What are the options for coarctation of the aorta?
Treatments for coarctation of the aorta include procedures to repair the narrowed vessel. Your child’s cardiologist will let you know which option is best for your child: Cardiac catheterization (non-surgical): Uses catheters (thin, spaghetti-like tubes) to reach your child’s heart and widen narrowed vessels by inflating a special balloon.
How long is the hospital stay for coarctation of the aorta?
Coarctation repair is a commonly performed operation with very good results. Typically, children are in the intensive care unit for 1-2 days and spend an additional 2-4 days in the hospital. Length of hospital stay for coarctation of the aorta at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
What happens to a child with narrowing of the aorta?
This narrowing means that less oxygen-rich blood is sent to the body. The amount of narrowing can vary. A child with greater narrowing of the aorta will have more symptoms.