Initial results and clinical follow-up after balloon angioplasty for native coarctation.

This study describes the initial hemodynamic results and early to late clinical follow-up, including magnetic resonance imaging and exercise testing, following balloon angioplasty for native coarctation of the aorta. We advocate this approach as an alternative to surgical intervention in select patients based on age, aortic arch anatomy, or in those patients who have coexisting cardiac defects that are amenable to transcatheter intervention.