Aortic coarctation: angioplasty and stenting of a total occlusion.

A 23-year-old man presented with dyspnoea and a blood pressure of 180/120 mmHg in both arms. Femoral and popliteal pulses were absent and there was a systolic ejection murmur along the left intercostal area.The chest X-ray showed rib notching and a normal cardiac silhouette.Transthoracic echocardiography showed a bicuspid aortic valve with a mild degree of left ventricular dysfunction and an interruption of the aorta 3 cm distally of the left subclavian artery. A 64-slice CT angiography confirmed an interruption with extensive collateral circulation. Angioplasty and implantation of a covered stent were successful. Six months after the procedure, the patient is asymptomatic and without any complication.