Coarctation of the Aorta

COARCTATION of the aorta is an unusual abnormality, but is found with sufficient frequency and is accompanied by severe enough complications to warrant a search for technical methods leading to its surgical correction in selected cases. Many persons with this disease have a reasonably long life and suffer relatively little incapacitation. A high degree of obstruction — or a complete block — in this arterial pathway carries a distinct hazard, however, because of the possibility of certain complications. In the first place, aneurysmal dilatation of the aorta may arise above or below the constricted zone. Secondly, a dissecting aneurysm may . . .