Tehran University Medical Journal

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Background: Coarctation of aorta is narrowing of proximal descending aorta. Interventional procedures such as balloon angioplasty & stent implantation has been progressively in use as alternatives for surgery in increasing number of children with diagnosis of coarctation of aorta. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of endovascular stent in children with coarctation of aorta.

Methods: We evaluated effectiveness and safety of stenting in all patients younger than 18 years old with coarctation and re-coarctation of aorta which treated by stenting between years 2004-9 at rajaei - heart centre in Tehran, Iran.

Results: we studied 53 patients younger than 18 years old with a follow up of six months. Totally 54 stents were implanted. Mean (±SD) age of the patients was 11.6±4.2yrs. Seventeen cases (32%) were younger than 10 years old, and 36 cases (68%) were 10 years and older. Mean (±SD) weight was 39.24±18kg. 16 cases weighting less than 25kg. Peak systolic pressure gradient (SPG) decreased from 46.26±17.07 to 1.03±0.19mmHg after procedure (p<0.001). There was no significant difference (p<0.001) in the gradient before and after stenting in the patients with native coarctation (Vs re-coarctation cases), less than 25 kg and under 10 years old groups. Complications developed in 44% of cases while dominantly were minor except in two cases re-dilatation of stent was not needed during six month of follow-up of the patients.

Conclusions: Stenting of coarctation of aorta can decrease complications and can be used safely in children weighing bellow 25kg and in children below 10yrs old.

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Background: Pulmonary valve stenosis (PS) is one of the most common congenital heart disease in children. Isolated pulmonary stenosis is the most common form of pulmonary stenosis. Isolated Pulmonary stenosis is responsible for 8 to 10 percent of congenital heart disease. Balloon valvuloplasty is the choice of treatment for this cardiac disease. One of the most important complications of this disease is pulmonary regurgitation in follow-up. The purpose of this study was to characterize the status of pulmonary regurgitation on follow-up after pulmonary valvuloplasty by balloon. Methods: We studied pulmonary regurgitation after balloon valvuloplasty retrospectively in children less than 14 years old age and isolated pulmonary stenosis. These patients had not complex congenital heart disease and admitted for balloon valvuloplasty during period of September 2001 to September 2011 in Shahid Rajaee Cardiovascular Research Center. The mean time of follow-up was 7±2.5 years. Results: Four hundred and fifty-eight patients with mean age of 10.3±8.6 months were studied. Two hundred and fifty-five patients were male and 230 were female. Right ventricular pressure was decreased from 82.3±42.2 mmHg before procedure to 45.2±22.4 mmHg after procedure (P= 0.043). Pressure gradient between right ventricle and pulmonary artery was decreased from 75.4±18.2 mmHg to 25.7±15.13 mmHg during procedure (P= 0.032). The day after procedure, 180 (37.1%) patients had no pulmonary regurgitation echocardiographic evaluation, 175 (36.08%) had mild, and 118 (24.3%) had moderate pulmonary regurgitation. In patients with moderate pulmonary regurgitation, 7 (0.14%) of those improve to severe pulmonary regurgitation. In echocardiographic exam, 12 (2.4%) patients had severe regurgitation the day after balloon valvuloplasty. During long-term follow-up (7±2.5 years) for 3 patient pulmonary valve replacement were performed. In our study, balloon to annulus ratio in three groups of pulmonary regurgitation (mild, moderate and sever) had significant correlation (P=0.012). Conclusion: Pulmonary regurgitation was seen after balloon valvuloplasty in some patients.In most patients it had no symptoms and long-term follow-up is necessary