Successful long-term stenting of an atypical descending aortic coarctation.

Stenotic lesions of the descending aorta are rare causes of coarctation of the aorta. The majority of cases of atypical coarctation are thought to be caused by Takayasu's arteritis. This report describes an atypical coarctation of the descending aorta treated with angioplasty and stent placement. Patency of the stent and control of the hypertension at 2 and a half years suggest that endovascular treatment of atypical coarctation may be successful with the use of mechanical stents and may be an alternative to surgical correction.