Role of transcatheter therapy in the treatment of coarctation of the aorta.

Coarctation of the aorta is one of the most common congenital heart defects. Transcatheter therapy for treatment of coarctation is effective, with low morbidity and mortality rates. The current trend is toward primary stent implantation for treatment, however, the results of balloon angioplasty in children and young adults are equivalent to the results following primary stent placement. Judicious use of stents is recommended in infants and children.