15-Year Analysis of Surgical Approaches and Outcomes for Coarctation in 132 Neonates and Infants

Abstract

Background: A variety of surgical approaches exist to treat aortic coarctation in neonates and infants.Our institutional approach is designed to match the surgical approach to the individual anatomy of the patient. The objective of this study is to evaluate operative characteristics and outcomes of all neonates and infants undergoing surgical repair of aortic coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch.Methods: Retrospective review of 132 patients aged 0-1 year who underwent surgical repair of coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch between 2006 and 2021, inclusive, either in isolation or with concomitant repair of atrial septal defect (ASD) and/or ventricular septal defect (VSD). Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical approach: Group 1 = Median Sternotomy and Group 2 = Left Lateral Thoracotomy. Continuous variables are presented as median (minimum-maximum); categorical variables are presented as N (%).Results: The most common operative technique in Group 1 was end-to-side reconstruction with ligation of the aortic isthmus. The most common operative technique in Group 2 was extended end-to-end repair.Operative Mortality was one patient (1/132 = 0.76%). Transcatheter intervention for recurrent coarctation was performed in seven patients (7/132 = 5.3%). Surgical re-intervention for recurrent coarctation was performed in three patients (3/132 = 2.3%).Conclusions: A strategy of matching the surgical approach to the anatomy for neonates and infants undergoing surgical repair of coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch, either in isolation or with concomitant repair of ASD and/or VSD, is associated with <1% Operative Mortality and <3% recurrent coarctation requiring reoperation.