The results of surgical treatment of coarctation of the thoracic aorta.

A retrospective study of the results of surgical treatment in 124 cases of coarctation of the thoracic aorta is presented. The diagnosis was based on clinical findings alone in 90% of cases. Aortography and/or cardiac catheterization were performed if the diagnosis was in doubt or if other cardiac abnormalities were suspected. Surgical treatment involved either resection with end-to-end anastomosis (114) or some form of grafting procedure (10). The results of treatment have been analysed in terms of operative mortality, late mortality, relief of hypertension, and the incidence of re-stenosis.