[A case of an unusual type of coarctation of the aorta terminating in the complete obstruction]

Abstract

A 19 year-old girl with an unusual type of coarctation of the aorta terminating in complete obstruction is presented. At the age of 5 years, she was diagnosed by aortography to have coarctation of the aorta of type IV C according to Edward's classification. No surgical treatment was performed at that time because her growth was good and she didn't have hypertension. During the follow-up period, marked hypertension developed, and she was readmitted. The aortogram revealed a bicuspid aortic valve and total obstruction of the descending thoracic aorta at the site where coarctation was noticed previously. The abdominal aorta distal from the obstruction site was filled through rich collateral circulation. As these angiographic interval changes are very rare, we discussed the genesis of obstruction and operative indication by reviewing the literature.