Pressure Wave Reflection After Successful Balloon Dilatation of Aortic Coarctation

Abstract

After successful surgical repair in patients with aortic coarctation, the early onset of cardiovascular diseases is an important subsequent complication and one of the causes is the enhanced aortic pressure wave reflection. Balloon angioplasty has become established as an effective alternative to surgery, but there have been no reports regarding pressure wave reflection after balloon dilatation in patients with aortic coarctation. A 29-year-old patient with aortic coarctation was admitted for angioplasty, which was performed successfully. Six months later, catheter examination demonstrated enhanced aortic pressure wave reflection, although there was no pressure difference. After balloon dilatation patients with aortic coarctation may be also at high risk for future cardiovascular diseases. (Circ J 2007; 71: 1821 - 1822)