Balloon Dilatation of Coarctation of Abdominal Aorta A Case Report

Abstract

The technique of balloon dilatation of stenotic lesions was described by Rubio and LimonLason in 1954 (1) and Dotter and Judkin in 1964 (2). It, however, became popular after Gruentzig and associates applied similar techniques for dilatating the coronary artery stenosis in mid 1970’s (3,4).

Discussion:

This report describes the first ballon dilatation attempt of acquired coaretation of aorta at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease. This patient had generalized aortitis involving much of the thoracic aorta and was associated with a discrete segment of coarctation. Left ventricular failure dominated the clinical picture and required multiple hospital admission of 3-4 month duration. Although blood pressure measurements are useful for long term follow-up but if facility is available, pulsed Doppler echocardiography offers an even more sensitive tool for the assessment of blood flow (12, 13) and pressure gradient at the area of dilatation. The smaller the child greater is the risk of femoral occlusion and risk to the extremities. It is reported that infants have a high risk of femoral artery occlus ion after the dilatation procedures.