[Extraanatomic aortic bypass grafting for the treatment of complex aortic coarctation]

Abstract

Objective: To review the experience of extraanatomic aortic bypass grafting for the treatment of complex aortic coarctation.

Methods: From July 1997 to July 2008, 48 consecutive patients (median age 30 years; range 10 to 58 years) with complex aortic coarctation underwent extraanatomic aortic bypass grafting. Indications include: (1) coarctation with intracardiac anomaly (n = 28); (2) coarctation with ascending aortic aneurysm (n = 1); (3) adult coarctation with calcification of local aortic wall (n = 7); (4) coarctation with hypoplasia aortic arch (n = 4); (5) long or multiple coarctation segment (n = 4); (6) coarctation with poststenotic aneurysm (n = 1); and (7) recurrent coarctation (n = 3). Routing of the grafts was:ascending-to-posterior pericardial descending aorta (n = 37); ascending-to-infrarenal abdominal aorta (n = 9); left subclavian artery-to-descending aorta(n = 2). Concomitant cardiac operations were performed in 31 patients (65%) using cardiopulmonary bypass; procedures included: aortic valve replacement in 16; mitral valve repair or replacement in 9; Bentall procedures in 6; patent ductus arteriosus closure in 5; ascending aortic replacement or plasty in 4; ventricular septal defect closure in 3 and coronary artery bypass surgery in 2.

Results: There was no operative death. One patient died of septic shock 39 days postoperatively. Two patients received laparotomy because of mechanical ileus shortly after the ascending-to-subrenal abdominal aortic bypass. Mean systolic blood pressure gradient between upper and lower extremities decreased from (65 +/- 27) mm Hg preoperatively to (14 +/- 11) mm Hg postoperatively (P < 0.05). During a mean follow-up of 28.9 months, there were no late deaths or graft-related complications. Residual mild hypertension were observed in five patients.

Conclusion: Extraanatomic aortic bypass is an attractive treatment option for complex aortic coarctation in adults and adolescents. It can be performed with low morbidity and mortality. The midterm results is favorable.