The Growth of the Normal Aorta and of the Anastomotic Site in Infants Following Surgical Resection of Coarctation of the Aorta

Observations were made on the growth of the anastomotic site 2 to 4 years after surgical resection of coaretation of the aorta in 5 infants who were less than 2 years of age at the time of surgery. Aortic measurements were made from biplane angiocardiograms. The physiologic adequacy of the anastomotic site was demonstrated by absence of a gradient in direct pressure measurements between the upper and lower extremities. Additional observations on the normal growth of the descending thoracic aorta were made from studies in 154 subjects with other forms of heart disease. They ranged in age from 2 days to 74 years.