Subclavian artery patch angioplasty. Treatment of infants and young children with aorta coarctation.

Repair of thoracic aorta coarctation in infants has had a high recurrence rate in most series. Recurrence is the result of several factors, but the type and growth of anastomosis are of primary importance. Subclavian artery patch angioplasty was used consecutively in eight children under the age of 5 years. There are six long-term survivors who have been observed for an average of 22 months. Body surface area during this time increased from a mean of 0.22 sq m preoperatively to a mean of 0.54 sq m at present. Blood pressure in the arms and legs were recorded at recent examination using an ultrasound pressure recorder. Only one patient had a substantial gradient (30 mm Hg). All survivors are asymptomatic. Use of the subclavian artery appears to allow for growth at the repair site.