Aortic coarctation

The overall prognosis for patients with isolated coarctation is excellent. Patients may require long-term treatment for hypertension, even in the absence of residual coarctation. Antihypertensives, including ACE-inhibitors, beta blockers and angiotensin II receptor blockade, have been utilized.[46]Moltzer E, Mattace Raso FU, Karamermer Y, et al. Comparison of Candesartan versus Metoprolol for treatment of systemic hypertension after repaired aortic coarctation. Am J Cardiol. 2010 Jan 15;105(2):217-22. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20102922?tool=bestpractice.com The long-term effects of systemic hypertension and decreased vascular reactivity are unclear.

Patients in whom the coarctation is associated with additional intracardiac defects typically are at higher risk of long-term problems related to the additional defects.

Recoarctation may be seen in both surgically and transcatheter-treated patients; therefore, ongoing lifetime outpatient follow-up with cardiology is necessary.

As patients age, careful follow-up with a cardiologist is imperative, as patients with aortic coarctation have a higher incidence of coronary artery disease.