Coarctation of the aorta

In a series of 70 patients who had surgical correction of coarctation of the aorta between 1952 and 1969, the operative mortality was 7% and the complication rate was 14%. The mortality was particularly high in adult males over 30, with pre-operative evidence of left ventricular ischaemia. Simple surgical procedures had satisfactory results, but the use of prostheses carried a high risk, and turning down the left subclavian artery failed to lower the blood pressure. The blood pressure score fell by 68% after operation, and by a further 8% following discharge from hospital. This result was maintained up to 17 years after operation, and may be expected in all groups of patients.