Results of the multicenter early feasibility study (EFS) of the Renata Minima stent as treatment for branch pulmonary artery stenosis and coarctation of aorta in infants.

BACKGROUND: Stent implantation has become standard of care in older children and adults for treatment of branch pulmonary artery stenosis (BPAS) and coarctation aorta (CoAo). There are no stents approved or available for infants that have the potential to be dilated to adult diameters. The Minima stent was designed to fulfill this unmet need. METHODS: Multicenter, prospective, nonrandomized early feasibility study evaluating safety and effectiveness of the Minima stent for treatment of BPAS and CoAo. Primary endpoints included: (1) successful deployment across lesion, (2) stenosis relief defined by an increase in angiographic diameter of >50% and (3) freedom from stent explant, embolization or migration at 30 days and 6 months. RESULTS: Between 2/2022 and 5/2022, 10 pts underwent Minima stent implantation with a median age and weight of 9 months (4-43 months) and 7.6 kg (5.1-16.9 kg). Procedural success and predefined stenosis relief was achieved in all cases (CoAo [n = 4], BPAS [n = 6]). Adverse events occurred in 3 pts: transient diminished lower extremity pulse (n = 2), distal stent on-balloon displacement successfully managed in the catheterization suite (n = 1). There were no deaths or major adverse events. All patients were free from stent explant and migration at 30 days and 6 months with no evidence for significant restenosis at latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the Renata Minima stent was safe and effective for the treatment of BPAS and CoAo in this small cohort of infants and young children during early follow-up. Based on these early results, an expanded study with longer follow-up is warranted.

Long-term follow-up after endovascular treatment of aortic coarctation with bare and covered Cheatham platinum stents.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of aortic coarctation (CoA) in children and adults frequently requires stent implantation. The aim of this study was to analyze long-term results after CoA treatment with bare and covered Cheatham-PlatinumTM (CP) stents in our institution and to derive recommendations for the differential use of these stent types. METHODS: In this retrospective single institution study, 212 patients received endovascular CoA treatment with bare (n = 71) and covered (n = 141) CP stents between September 1999 and July 2021, respectively. The indications for treatment were native CoA in 110/212 patients (51.9%) and re-coarctation after primary surgical or interventional treatment in 102/212 patients (48.1%). Median patient age at endovascular CoA treatment was 18.8 years [IQR 11.9; 35.8]. Long-term follow-up was available in 158/212 patients (74.5%) with a median follow-up of 7.3 years [IQR 4.3; 12.6]. RESULTS: Procedural success was achieved in 187/212 (88.2%) patients. Survival rate was 98.1% after 5, and 95.6% after 10 and 15 years, respectively. The probability of freedom from re-intervention was 93.0% after 5, 82.3% after 10 and 77.8% after 15 years, respectively. Freedom from re-interventions (44/158, 27.8%) did not differ between patients who received bare or covered CP stents (p = 0.715). Multivariable risk factor analysis identified previous CoA surgery (HR: 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-3,9, p = 0.029), postdilatation (HR: 2,9, 95% CI: 1.1-6.3, p = 0.028) and age at intervention (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99, p = 0.002) as independent risk factors for re-intervention. Peri-procedural complications occurred in 15/212 (7.1%) patients (dissection/thrombosis of vascular access vessel: n = 9; bleeding: n = 1; stent dislocation: n = 2; aortic dissection/aortic wall rupture: n = 3). Long-term complications were observed in 36 patients and included stent fracture (n = 19), aneurysm formation (n = 14), endoleak (n = 1) and subclavian artery stenosis (n = 2). Peri-procedural and long-term complications did not differ between patients who received CoA treatment with bare or covered CP stents (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of CoA using bare or covered CP stents can be performed safely and effectively with excellent long-term results. Survival, re-intervention and complication rate did not significantly differ between both stent types. However, individual stent selection is advisable with regard to CoA morphology and severity as well as patient age.

Prospective multicenter study of the breakable babystent for treatment of aortic coarctation in newborns and infants.

To assess the efficacy and safety of a breakable BabyStent to treat complex aortic coarctation (CoA) in early childhood. Although recommended in several guidelines, there is no approved aortic stent for young infants, because of the dilemma between two mandatory requirements: expandable up to adult size on the one hand, and small enough to fit through a baby's femoral artery on the other. Prospective interventional, multi-center clinical trial with the breakable Osypka BabyStent® (OBS). The OBS is a low-profile, 15-mm long cobalt-chromium stent, pre-mounted on a 6 mm balloon and inserted via a 4 Fr sheath. After implantation, its diameter is adjustable from 6 to 12 mm by balloon dilation. Further dilation opens predefined joints enabling unrestricted growth. Nineteen patients (9 male), median age 112 days (range: 7-539), median body weight 5.6 kg (range: 2.4-8.4) were deemed high risk and underwent stent implantation. Of those, 74% suffered from re-CoA following surgery, 53% had additional cardiac and 21% noncardiac malformations. Our primary combined endpoint was fulfilled: All stents were implanted in the desired region, and a >50% intrastenotic diameter-extension was achieved in 15 patients (78.9%, 80% confidence interval [62.2; 90.5], 95% confidence interval [54.4; 93.9]). Secondary endpoint confirmed that the OBS fits the baby's femoral vessel diameter. All children survived the procedure and 12-month follow-up. This stent enables percutaneous stenting of complex aortic coarctation to treat high-risk newborns and infants.

A new FDA approved stent for congenital heart disease: First-in-man experiences with G-ARMORTM.

We present the first clinical experience with a new hybrid cell structure covered stent, designed for congenital heart disease applications. It represents a significant redesign of the Cheatham Platinum (CP) Stent (Numed Inc.), maintaining the traditional benefits of the covered CP whilst significantly decreasing shortening and allowing controlled flaring at the ends through its combination of larger and standard sized cells. We first implanted the stent in 2 patients with superior sinus venosus defects with anomalous drainage of the right upper and middle lobe pulmonary veins. The first was a 40 year male and the second a 36 year old female. The third case was a 60 year old patient with near atresia of the aorta, with pre and poststenotic aortic dilation. The clinical result in all cases was excellent with no obstruction to pulmonary venous return and no visible L-R shunt on the transthoracic echo on 24 h and 2 week follow-up for the patient with sinus venosus defects and uniform complete revascularization of the aorta without any vascular complications in the patient with coarctation. These are the first uses of this stent in human subjects. The design is specifically aimed toward procedures where stent shortening is undesirable. Hence, coarctation of the aorta as well as stent implantation in preparation for percutaneous pulmonary valve placement are obvious use areas, as well as the growing body of evidence supporting percutaneous treatment of sinus venosus defects.

Angioplasty of Native Coarctation in a Very Low Birth Weight, Donor of Twin-Twin Transfusion Infant.

We present a case of successful balloon angioplasty of native aortic coarctation in a preterm infant, a donor of twin-twin transfusion syndrome with low birth weight. Angioplasty was done at the age of 15 days and weight of 480 g, using umbilical artery approach. Follow-up at 4 months of age showed no recurrence of coarctation.

Endovascular treatment of aortic coarctation with a novel BeGraft aortic stent in children and young adults: a single-centre experience with short-term follow-up results.

OBJECTIVES: We present our experience and outcomes with the BeGraft in the treatment of aortic coarctation in a predominantly paediatric population. METHODS: This study includes a retrospective analysis of patients who had Begraft aortic stent implantation between 2018 and 2020 from a single centre. RESULTS: The BeGraft aortic stent was used in 11 patients (7 males, 4 females) with a median age of 14 (13-21) years and a median weight of 65 (46-103) kg. Coarctation was native in five patients and recurrent in six patients. Median stent diameter and length were 16 mm and 38 mm, respectively. The median peak-to-peak pressure was 30 (12-55) mmHg before the procedure and 5 (0-17) mmHg after the procedure. The stenting procedure was successful in 10 of the 11 patients. Stent migration to the abdominal aorta occurred on post-procedure day 1 in the 21-year-old patient, who had previously undergone surgical closure of the ventricular septal defect and balloon angioplasty for coarctation. After repositioning failed, the stent was safely fixed in the abdominal aorta. Strut distortion also occurred during balloon retrieval in one patient, but no aneurysm or in-stent restenosis was observed at 1-year follow-up. The patients were followed for a median of 14 (4-25) months and none required redilation. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial results demonstrated that the BeGraft aortic stent effectively reduced the pressure gradient in selected native and recurrent cases. Despite advantages such as a smaller sheath and low profile, more experience and medium- to long-term results are needed.

A Fetal Risk Stratification Pathway for Neonatal Aortic Coarctation Reduces Medical Exposure.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that a fetal stratification pathway will effectively discriminate between infants at different levels of risk for surgical coarctation and reduce unnecessary medicalization. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a pre-post nonrandomized study in which we prospectively assigned fetuses with prenatal concern for coarctation to 1 of 3 risk categories and implemented a clinical pathway for postnatal management. Postnatal clinical outcomes were compared with those in a historical control group that were not triaged based on the pathway. RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 109 fetuses, including 57 treated along the fetal coarctation pathway and 52 historical controls. Among mild-risk fetuses, 3% underwent surgical coarctation repair (0% of those without additional heart defects), compared with 27% of moderate-risk and 63% of high-risk fetuses. The combined fetal aortic, mitral, and isthmus z-score best discriminated which infants underwent surgery (area under the curve = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66-0.91). Compared with historical controls, infants triaged according to the fetal coarctation pathway had fewer delivery location changes (76% vs 55%; P = .025) and less umbilical venous catheter placement (74% vs 51%; P = .046). Trends toward shorter intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and time to enteral feeding did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: A stratified risk-assignment pathway effectively identifies a group of fetuses with a low rate of surgical coarctation and reduces unnecessary medicalization in infants who do not undergo aortic surgery. Incorporation of novel measurements or imaging techniques may improve the specificity of high-risk criteria.

Effect of coarctation of aorta anatomy and balloon profile on the outcome of balloon angioplasty in infantile coarctation.

OBJECTIVE: Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) is a relatively common cardiovascular disorder. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of COA anatomy and high versus low-pressure balloons on the outcome of balloon angioplasty among neonates and infants. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the neonates and infants undergoing balloon angioplasty at Namazi hospital were enrolled. After balloon angioplasty, immediate data results were promptly recorded.Moreover, midterm echocardiographic information was collected via electronic cardiac records of pediatric wards and clinical and echocardiographic data at least 12 months after balloon angioplasty. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS-20. RESULTS: In this study, 42 infants were included. The median age at the time of balloon angioplasty was 1.55 (range 0.1-12) months and 66.7% of the patients were male. The mean pressure gradient of coarctation was 38.49 ± 24.97 mmHg, which decreased to 7.61 ± 8.00 mmHg (P < 0.001). A high-pressure balloon was used in 27, and a low-pressure balloon was used in 15 patients. COA's pressure gradient changed 30.89 ± 18.06 in the high-pressure group and 24.53 ± 20.79 in the low-pressure balloon group (P = 0.282). In the high-pressure balloon group, 14.81% and in the low-pressure group, 33.33% had recoarctation and need second balloon angioplasty (p < 0.021). The infant with discrete coarctation had a higher decrease in gradient and lower recoarctation. CONCLUSION: Recoarctation rate was lower in the high-pressure balloon. The infant with discrete COA had a better response to the balloon with more decrease in gradient and lower recoarctation rate. Therefore, the stenotic segment anatomy needs to be considered in the selection of treatment methods.

Use of 3D rotational angiography to perform computational fluid dynamics and virtual interventions in aortic coarctation.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to analyze blood flow and to predict hemodynamic outcomes after interventions for coarctation of the aorta and other cardiovascular diseases. We report the first use of cardiac 3-dimensional rotational angiography for CFD and show not only feasibility but also validation of its hemodynamic computations with catheter-based measurements in three patients.

First in man study of a new semi-open cell design Zephyr cobalt-chromium stent in large vessels and conduits.

OBJECTIVES: We present a first-in-man clinical use of a new hybrid design stent in stenosed large vessels. Its unique C and S polylinks prevent foreshortening without compromising its strength. Its thin profile permits use of smaller introducer sheaths. BACKGROUND: Stent angioplasty is widely employed in large vessel and conduit stenosis. These procedures are associated with difficulties due to large stent profiles, stent fractures, foreshortening and recoil. Cobalt chromium stents have high tensile strengths compared to stainless steel stents. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of feasibility and safety of a new Cobalt chromium stent in large vessels namely aorta, pulmonary arteries and outflow conduits was done from two institutions. Demographic patient details, procedural results, complications and medium term follow-up were analyzed. Stent recoil, foreshortening, fractures were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty patients including three with aortic coarctations, seven with stenosed conduits and 10 with pulmonary artery stenosis underwent stent angioplasty using 23 stents. Three stents were deployed to expand further a previously implanted stent. Procedure was successful in all patients, lumen increased by 150-300%, gradients reduced in all patients. There was no stent recoil, foreshortening or fractures. There were no complications. At a follow up of 3-27 months, there were no stent related complications and the gradients remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: The new Zephyr stent was useful in a wide variety of stenotic lesions involving large vessels including those that were previously stented. Lack of stent recoil and foreshortening seems to be an advantage for this new stent that needs validation in larger multicenter studies.

Acute and medium term results of balloon expandable stent placement in the transverse arch-a multicenter pediatric interventional cardiology early career society study.

OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND: Coarctation of the aorta represents 5-8% of all congenital heart disease. Although balloon expandable stents provide an established treatment option for native or recurrent coarctation, outcomes from transverse arch (TAO) stenting, including resolution of hypertension have not been well studied. This study aims to evaluate immediate and midterm results of TAO stenting in a multi-center retrospective cohort. METHODS: TAO stenting was defined as stent placement traversing any head and neck vessel, with the primary intention of treating narrowing in the transverse aorta. Procedural details, complications and medications were assessed immediately post procedure, at 6 month follow-up and at most recent follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-seven subjects, 12 (21%) native, and 45 (79%) surgically repaired aortic arches, from seven centers were included. Median age was 14 years (4 days-42 years), median weight 54 kg (1.1-141 kg). After intervention, the median directly measured arch gradient decreased from 20 mmHg (0-57 mmHg) to 0 mmHg (0-23 mmHg) (p < .001). The narrowest arch diameter increased from 9 mm (1.4-16 mm) to 14 mm (2.9-25 mm) (p < .001), with a median increase of 4.9 mm (1.1-10.1 mm). One or more arch branches were covered by the stent in 55 patients (96%). There were no serious adverse events. Two patients warranted stent repositioning following migration during deployment. There were no late complications. There were 8 reinterventions, 7 planned, and 1 unplanned (6 catheterizations, 2 surgeries). Antihypertensive management was continued in 19 (40%) at a median follow-up of 3.2 years (0.4-7.3 years). CONCLUSIONS: TAO stenting can be useful in selected patients for resolution of stenosis with minimal complications. This subset of patients are likely to continue on antihypertensive medications despite resolution of stenosis.

Late diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta in a 44-year-old male: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Coarctation of the aorta is a rare congenital disease. In adults, the main manifestations include hypertension, weak or absent femoral pulses, heart failure, and left ventricular hypertrophy. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case involving a late diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta detected during aortography in a 44-year-old man. The patient underwent stent implantation and aortoplasty. After 2 years of follow-up, the patient was in good condition. CONCLUSIONS: This case shows that coarctation of the aorta can be cured and that hypertension caused by the condition can be controlled to some extent with medication. Based on our findings, we recommend a detailed physical examination for all patients suspected of having coarctation of the aorta; the examination should include blood pressure measurements of both the upper and lower extremities. The case of coarctation of the aorta is not common or easy to be found in medium-aged population. Better BP control, earlier repair, and transcatheter intervention may result in a good outcome in that case.

Neonatal management of prenatally suspected coarctation of the aorta.

OBJECTIVES: (a) To determine the false-positive rate among newborns with prenatally suspected coarctation of the aorta (CoA) within the UCLA Health system, (b) to compare patient and maternal interventions and outcomes between false-positive cases and normal controls, and (c) to determine the timing of clinical presentation of CoA. METHODS: We performed a single-center, retrospective case control study of all fetuses with suspected isolated CoA who underwent both fetal echocardiographic evaluation and subsequent delivery at UCLA between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2018. Maternal and neonatal medical records were reviewed for demographic and clinical data, for cases of suspected CoA and for controls. A separate review of our institution's surgical database was performed to identify characteristics of all patients (neonatal and pediatric) with isolated CoA who underwent surgical repair during the same time period. RESULTS: Among the 50 fetal cases of isolated suspected CoA who delivered at our institution, 47 patients (94%) were found to be normal (false positives). Compared with normal controls, patients with suspected CoA were more likely to have delayed maternal bonding, delayed feeding, admission to the intensive care unit, performance of neonatal echocardiograms, initiation of intravenous fluids and initiation of prostaglandin E1, and a longer length of hospital stay. Among the 38 patients undergoing CoA repair at our institution during the study period, four patients were prenatally diagnosed and no patient presented clinically with symptoms before 48 hours after delivery. CONCLUSION: Compared with normal controls, patients with prenatally suspected coarctation are more likely to have delayed maternal bonding, delayed feeding, more frequent neonatal echocardiograms, and longer length of hospital stay. Further refinement of neonatal management may improve postnatal care.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Hemodynamic Parameters in the Human Diseased Aorta: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The analysis of the correlation between blood flow and aortic pathology through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) shows promise in predicting disease progression, the effect of operative intervention, and guiding patient treatment. However, to date, there has not been a comprehensive systematic review of the published literature describing CFD in aortic diseases and their treatment. METHODS: This review includes 136 published articles which have investigated the application of CFD in all types of aortic disease (aneurysms, dissections, and coarctation). We took into account case studies of both, treated or untreated pathology, investigated with CFD. We also graded all studies using an author-defined Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach based on the validation method used for the CFD results. RESULTS: There are no randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of CFD as applied to aortic pathology, treated or untreated. Although a large number of observational studies are available, those using clinical imaging tools as independent validation of the calculated CFD results exist in far smaller numbers. Only 21% of all studies used clinical imaging as a tool to validate the CFD results and these were graded as high-quality studies. CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary evidence shows that CFD can provide additional hemodynamic parameters such as wall shear stress, vorticity, disturbed laminar flow, and recirculation regions in untreated and treated aortic disease. These have the potential to predict the progression of aortic disease, the effect of operative intervention, and ultimately help guide the choice and timing of treatment to the benefit of patients and clinicians alike.

Recurrent coarctation in Williams syndrome: novel approach of drug-eluting stent implantation.

Patients with Williams syndrome often present with abnormalities of the vascular wall of the aorta and/or the pulmonary artery. Surgery may result in restenosis of the affected vessel. Herein, we report a case of an infant with multiple recurrences of aortic coarctation successfully treated with Zotarolimus drug-eluting stent.

Multicenter experience with endovascular treatment of aortic coarctation in adults.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes of endovascular treatment of aortic coarctation in adults. METHODS: Clinical data and imaging studies of 93 consecutive patients treated at nine institutions from 1999 to 2015 were reviewed. We included newly diagnosed aortic coarctation (NCO), recurrent coarctation, and aneurysmal/pseudoaneurysmal degeneration (ANE) after prior open surgical repair (OSR) of coarctation. Primary end points were morbidity and mortality. Secondary end points were stent patency and freedom from reintervention. RESULTS: There were 54 (58%) male and 39 (42%) female patients with a mean age of 44 ± 17 years. Thirty-two patients had NCO (mean age, 48 ± 16 years) and 61 had endovascular reinterventions after prior OSR during childhood (mean, 30 ± 17 years after initial repair), including 50 patients (54%) with recurrent coarctation and 11 (12%) with ANE. Clinical presentation included asymptomatic in 31 patients (33%), difficult to control hypertension in 42 (45%), and lower extremity claudication in 20 (22%). Endovascular treatment was performed using balloon-expandable covered stents in 47 (51%) patients, stent grafts in 36 (39%) patients, balloon-expandable uncovered stents in 9 (10%) patients, and primary angioplasty in 1 (1%) patient. Mean lesion length and diameter were 64.5 ± 50.6 mm and 19.5 ± 6.7 mm, respectively. Mean systolic pressure gradient decreased from 24.0 ± 17.5 mm Hg to 4.4 ± 7.4 mm Hg after treatment (P < .001). Complications occurred in nine (10%) patients, including aortic dissections in three (3%) patients and intraoperative ruptures in two patients; type IA endoleak, renal embolus, spinal headache, and access site hemorrhage occurred in one patient each. The aortic dissections and ruptures were treated successfully by deploying an additional covered stent proximal to the site of dissection or rupture. Two patients died within 30 days of the index procedure. After a mean follow-up of 3.2 ± 3.1 years, nearly all patients (98%) were clinically improved and all stents were patent. Reintervention was needed in 10 (11%) patients. Freedom from reintervention at 5 years was 85%. Two additional patients died during follow-up of coarctation-related causes, including rupture of an infected graft and visceral ischemia. Patient survival at 5 years was 89%. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular repair is effective with an acceptable safety profile in the treatment of NCO and postsurgical complications of coarctation after initial OSR. Aortic rupture is an infrequent (2%) but devastating complication with high mortality. Balloon-expandable covered stents are preferred for NCO, whereas stent grafts are used for ANE. The rate of reinterventions is acceptable, with high procedural and long-term clinical success.

First use and limitations of Magmaris® bioresorbable stenting in a low birth weight infant with native aortic coarctation.

We, herein, report the first use of a Magmaris® magnesium-based vascular scaffold for native aortic coarctation in a 1,980 g infant with multiple malformations. Due to the low body weight, complex illness, and clinical instability, it was decided to delay surgical correction. After insufficient results had been obtained by balloon angioplasty, Magmaris® implantation was chosen to bridge the patient to surgery by stabilizing left ventricular function and to allow for sufficient growth. Due to significant early stent restenosis and complete loss of radial force, the patient required balloon reangioplasty only 21 days after Magmaris® implantation and early surgical correction. In addition, high systemic sirolimus levels were detected 48 hr after the intervention (5 ng/mL). Although the bioresorbable scaffold was successfully used as a short-term bridge-to-surgery in our case, due to significant early stent failure (loss of radial force), this approach does not seem promising for long-term bridging of infants with aortic coarctation. In addition, the consequences of sirolimus-induced systemic immunosuppression may further limit the applicability of Magmaris® scaffolds in infants with congenital heart disease.

Aortic elasticity after aortic coarctation relief: comparison of surgical and interventional therapy by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Patients after aortic coarctation (CoA) repair show impaired aortic bioelasticity and altered left ventricular (LV) mechanics, predisposing diastolic dysfunction. Our purpose was to assess aortic bioelasticity and LV properties in CoA patients who underwent endovascular stenting or surgery using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. METHODS: Fifty CoA patients (20.5 ± 9.5 years) were examined by 3-Tesla CMR. Eighteen patients had previous stent implantation and 32 had surgical repair. We performed volumetric analysis of both ventricles (LV, RV) and left atrium (LA) to measure biventricular volumes, ejection fractions, left atrial (LA) volumes, and functional parameters (LAEFPassive, LAEFContractile, LAEFReservoir). Aortic distensibility and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were assessed. Native T1 mapping was applied to examine LV tissue properties. In twelve patients post-contrast T1 mapping was performed. RESULTS: LV, RV and LA parameters did not differ between the surgical and stent group. There was also no significant difference for aortic distensibility, PWV and T1 relaxation times. Aortic root distensibility correlated negatively with age, BMI, BSA and weight (p < 0.001). Native T1 values correlated negatively with age, weight, BSA and BMI (p < 0.001). Lower post-contrast T1 values were associated with lower aortic arch distensibility and higher aortic arch PWV (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CoA patients after surgery or stent implantation did not show significant difference of aortic elasticity. Thus, presumably other factors like intrinsic aortic abnormalities might have a greater impact on aortic elasticity than the approach of repair. Interestingly, our data suggest that native T1 values are influenced by demographic characteristics.

A case report on endarteritis in a child with coarctation of aorta.

Coarctation of aorta(CoA), complicated by endarteritis in a children is very rare. Here we present a case of endarteritis in an unoperated CoA in a four year old boy. CoA had been diagnosed in the referring hospital, yet the diagnosis of endocarditis distal to CoA, was made in the tertiary center using modified transthoracic echo windows or focused views. After six weeks of intravenous antibiotic treatment, a coarctectomy and end-to-end anastomosis was performed and he recovered clinically well. This case report concludes that echocardiography remains as the standard diagnostic method for identifying intracardiac manifestations of infective endocarditis/endarteritis. Last but foremost, it delineates the importance of modified transthoracic echo windows or focused views in identifying the unusual position of endocarditis.

Late manifestation coarctation of the aorta in a premature infant 4-month post-percutaneous device closure of a patent ductus arteriosus.

Patent ductus arteriosus is the most common cardiovascular abnormality in premature infants. With newly available percutaneous devices, centres are reporting high rates of success and favourable safety profiles with percutaneous closure of haemodynamically significant ductus arteriosi in infants under 1000 g. We report the case of a 5-week-old, previous 25-week gestation, 1200-g infant who underwent successful percutaneous closure of a ductus arteriosus with a Medtronic Microvascular Plug but who developed late-term coarctation from the device. This case should prompt practitioners to consider the need and timing of follow-up echocardiograms in this population and sheds light on a newly reported long-term complication of device closure in premature infants.