Esmolol-assisted balloon and stent angioplasty for aortic coarctation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of esmolol-induced negative ino- and chronotropism during stent/balloon angioplasty for aortic coarctation. Balloon angioplasty and stent placement have become widely accepted therapies for native and recurrent coarctation of the aorta (CoA). Trauma to the vessel wall and stent migration related to forward displacement of the balloon and/or stent by cardiac output, are the most common complications. Controlling stroke volume and heart rate may assist in balloon stability and accurate deployment of stents. All methods currently used to achieve this have significant limitations. We describe our experience using esmolol to control stroke volume and heart rate during balloon/stent angioplasty of CoA. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who had intravenous esmolol during percutaneous treatment of CoA. Six interventions were performed in six patients: coarctation stent angioplasty in five patients (two native coarctation) and balloon angioplasty alone in one patient. The median systolic blood pressure achieved during the procedure was 65 mmHg (range, 57-75) representing a median reduction of 40 mmHg (range, 20-80; p = 0.008) from baseline. The median heart achieved was 50 beats/min (range, 20-80), representing a median reduction of 20 beats/min (range, 15-90, p = 0.048) from baseline. Optimal stent position was obtained in all patients. Intravenous esmolol controls periprocedural hemodynamics effectively and safely during percutaneous therapy for aortic coarctation, thereby aiding accurate stent placement. Further evaluation of its use during other percutaneous left heart interventions is required.