What is the outlook for children with coarctation of the aorta?
The long-term outlook for children who have had their coarctation repaired, whether it be surgery or angioplasty, is excellent. Children who have successful repair of coarctation can usually live full and productive lives and women can usually safely become pregnant. However, there are a number of medical problems that can also occur late after repair. 1. Recoarctation Recoarctation is the redevelopment of a narrowing in the aorta. This problem occurs more commonly in children who have had their coarctation repaired very early in life. Recoarctation occurs in around 5-10 % of the time in children who have had their repair in infancy and less than 3% of the time if the repair was performed after 3 years of age. Treatment of recoarctation of the aorta usually is with balloon angioplasty. 2. High Blood Pressure One of the most common medical problems seen in people after successful repair of coarctation is high blood pressure. Approximately 60% of people who have had their coarctation rep
