Benefit of endovascular stenting for aortic coarctation on systemic hypertension in adults

Transverse arch stenting and its effect on systemic hypertension

Background

This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of transverse aortic arch stenting and evaluate the course of hypertension and the act of arch stenting on systemic hypertension.

Methods

The transverse aortic arch stenting procedures between January 2007 and May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Detailed procedure information, technical aspects, pressure measurements, angiographic data, balloons and stents used, complications, and immediate results were examined. Early and mid-term results were assessed.

Results

Eighteen patients (10 males and 8 females; mean age: 14.5±5.3 years; range, 4 to 23 years) were included in the study, all of whom were hypertensive before the procedure. The mean weight was 56.8±19.6 kg. In seven patients, the stent struts had to be dilated due to the stent causing jailing at the entrance of nearby arch vessels. After stenting, there was a significant increase in arch diameter and a decrease in ascending aorta pressure and the pressure gradient across the aorta. There were no early mortality or major complications. Late migration of the stent was observed in one patient. Three patients became normotensive immediately after the intervention, and five became drug-free during the follow-up. The requirement for dual antihypertensive therapy was significantly reduced.

Conclusion

Residual transverse arch lesions may contribute to the persistence of systemic hypertension after coarctation treatment. Transverse arch stent implantation can be performed safely with favorable outcomes, facilitating better blood pressure control. However, it should be noted that these patients remain at risk for lifelong hypertension and should be closely monitored in this regard.

Heart team approach for comprehensive management of aortic coarctation in the adult

BACKGROUND

Aortic coarctation in the adult is usually associated with chronic systemic hypertension, which leads to the sequelae of congestive heart failure, vascular dysfunction and decreased lifespan. Open and endovascular treatment modalities both provide excellent procedural outcomes with minimal mortality and morbidity, but a structured algorithm for workup and periprocedural decision making is not well established. We outline our heart team decision making approach along with our institution's experience treating this condition.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed twenty-four consecutive adult patients treated for aortic coarctation since 2010 at a single center. Outcomes of interest included mortality, treatment approach, device used and post-procedure hypertension status. We describe our protocol for work-up and intervention decision making. We explain our rationale for recommending treatment and the approach, open or endovascular, using existing literature and our experience.

RESULTS

Procedural success rate was 100%, and there were no 30-day, one-year or five-year mortalities, whether the approach was open or endovascular. At last contact, 32% of patients were normotensive and no longer taking blood pressure medications. Several patients presented with complex problems as a result of commonly described complications of prior open or endovascular repair, and we describe our approach to the management of these difficult cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Even at a high-volume heart and vascular hospital, aortic coarctation is an uncommon presentation in adult patients. Our experience suggests that excellent outcomes are obtained by discussing each patient among a multidisciplinary heart team and developing a work-up and treatment protocol to guide selection of interventional modality.

The clinical presentation and outcome of aortic coarctation associated with left ventricular inflow and outflow tract lesion in adult patients: Shone syndrome and beyond

BACKGROUND

Aortic coarctation (AoCoa) is a congenital stenosis of aorta, which often co-exists with other congenital heart defects. Many studies have shown the importance of regular follow-up in these patients however there is scarcity of knowledge relating to the impact of left ventricle inflow lesions (LVIT) and left ventricle outflow track lesions (LVOT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of isolated AoCoa with LVIT and/or LVOT on haemodynamic, morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

We have retrospectively analysed clinical data of all adult AoCoa patients who underwent echocardiography between 2010-2018 in our centre. Outcome measures included death, number of hospitalisations for cardiac causes, development of cardiac arrhythmia, new prescription of HF medication.

RESULTS

A total of 406 AoCoa patients were included and were followed for a median 4.2 years. At baseline, 38% patients had AoCoa alone, 54% patients had LVOT, 3% patients had LVIT, and 5% patients had mixed LVIT and LVOT, including patients with Shone syndrome. Patients with mixed LVIT and LVOT had the highest mortality of the four groups and the highest heart failure-related morbidity. Moreover, they were the most prone to have a higher indexed LA volume compared to patients with no LVOT (p=0.0001). During follow-up, 13 patients died, of which 21% patients were from the mixed LVIT and LVOT group.

CONCLUSIONS

AoCoa patients with a combination of LVIT and LVOT including Shone complex are associated with a significantly higher morbidity and mortality compared to AoCoa alone.

Long-term observation of adults after successful repair of aortic coarctation

Introduction

Despite successful repair of aortic coarctation, cardiovascular complications occur.

Aim

To analyse type and frequency of late complications and their impact on exercise capacity in adults after aortic coarctation repair.

Material and methods

Fifty-eight adults after aortic coarctation repair, 36 male, median age 27.46 ±10.57, were compared to 30 healthy volunteers. Physical examination, transthoracic echocardiography, carotid intima-media thickness measurement, cardiopulmonary exercise test and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed.

Results

The main complications were: arterial hypertension 48.3%, myocardial hypertrophy in echocardiography 29.34%, recoarctation 25.86%, aortic dilation 13.79% and coronary artery disease 6.89%. Exercise tolerance was reduced in the cardiopulmonary exercise test. The VO₂/kg peak was lower, 29.01 ±8.79 vs. 49.16 ±7.38 ml/kg/min, p < 0.001, VE/VCO₂ peak higher 28.18 ±4.69 vs. 26.78 ±3.13, p = 0.017. The peak heart rate was reduced, 157.28 ±22.22 vs. 177.93 ±23.08 bpm, p < 0.001, peak systolic blood pressure was higher, 174.79 ±17.62 vs. 153.33 ±4.79 mm Hg, p < 0.001. Systolic blood pressure in 24-hour ambulatory monitoring correlated with left ventricle mass index, r = 0.29, p = 0.025, wall thickness, r = 0.31, p = 0.039. Age at operation was related to left ventricle wall thickness, r = 0.27, p = 0.041, and carotid intima-media thickness, r = 0.26, p = 0.046. There was no association of any cardio-pulmonary parameters with time from surgery, type of operation or echocardiography results.

Conclusions

Adults after aortic coarctation repair suffer from arterial hypertension, recurrent aortic stenosis, aortic aneurysms, and coronary artery disease. Reduced exercise capacity in cardio-pulmonary exercise test is related to hypertensive reaction and chronotropic incompetence.

Safety and efficacy of stenting for aortic arch hypoplasia in patients with coarctation of the aorta

Background

Despite a successful repair procedure for coarctation of the aorta (CoA), up to two-thirds of patients remain hypertensive. CoA is often seen in combination with abnormal aortic arch anatomy and morphology. This might be a substrate for persistent hypertension. Therefore, we performed endovascular aortic arch stent placement in patients with CoA and concomitant aortic arch hypoplasia or gothic arch morphology. The goal of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the safety and efficacy of aortic arch stenting.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed in patients who underwent stenting of the aortic arch at the University Medical Center Utrecht. Measurements collected included office blood pressure, use of antihypertensive medication, invasive peak-to-peak systolic pressure over the arch, and aortic diameters on three-dimensional angiography. Data on follow-up were obtained at the date of most recent outpatient visit.

Results

Twelve patients underwent stenting of the aortic arch. Mean follow-up duration was 14 ± 11 months. Mean peak-to-peak gradient across the arch decreased from 39 ± 13 mm Hg to 7 ± 8 mm Hg directly after stenting (p < 0.001). There were no major procedural complications. Mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 145 ± 16 mm Hg at baseline to 128 ± 9 mm Hg at latest follow-up (p = 0.014).

Conclusion

This retrospective study shows that stenting of the aortic arch is successful when carried out in a state-of-the-art manner. A direct optimal angiographic and haemodynamic result was shown. No major complications occurred during or after the procedure. At short- to medium-term follow-up a decrease in mean systolic blood pressure was observed.

Effect of stent implantation on blood pressure control in adults with coarctation of the aorta

BACKGROUND

Stenting of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) generally results in good angiographic results and a decrease in transcoarctation pressure gradient. However, effect on blood pressure control is less clear. The goal of the current retrospective analysis was to investigate the effects of CoA stenting on blood pressure control.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted in consecutive adult patients with a CoA who underwent a percutaneous intervention at one of the three participating hospitals. Measurements included office blood pressure, invasive peak-to-peak systolic pressure over the CoA, diameter of the intima lumen at the narrowest part of the CoA and use of medication. The follow-up data were obtained, based on the most recent examination date.

RESULTS

There were 26 native CoA and 17 recurrent CoAs (total n = 43). Seven of them underwent two procedures. Mean peak-to-peak gradient decreased from 27 mmHg to 3 mmHg (p < 0.001), and minimal diameter increased from a mean of 11 mm to 18 mm (p < 0.001). Mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 151 ± 18 mmHg to 135 ± 19 mmHg at first follow-up of 3.8 ± 1.9 months and 137 ± 22 mmHg at latest follow-up of 19.5 ± 10.9 months (p = 0.001 and p = 0.009, compared to baseline, respectively). The total number of hypertensive patients decreased from 74% to 27% at latest follow-up. No significant change in antihypertensive medication was observed.

CONCLUSION

A clinically significant decrease in systolic blood pressure of approximately 16 mmHg was shown after (re)intervention in CoA patients, which sustained at follow-up. This sustained decrease of blood pressure can be expected to lead to less future adverse cardiovascular events.