Follow-up using magnetic resonance imaging in adult patients after surgery for aortic coarctation.

Functional impairment, aneurysma formation, and restenosis are well known complications after surgery for coarctation of the aorta. In order to assess long-term results, 25 adults were studied by physical examination, exercise tests, and magnetic resonance imaging after an interval ranging from 1 to 28 years since surgery for coarctation. Fifteen patients had arterial hypertension at rest, five additional patients showed hypertension on exertion only. Magnetic resonance imaging showed pathological changes of the aorta in all patients. An aneurysm of the ascending aorta was seen in four patients, a circumscript aneurysm in the descending aorta at the site of surgery was found in three patients. Restenosis of the descending aorta occurred in three patients. In eight patients the left subclavian artery was distally displaced and dilated in eleven patients. In order to initiate appropriate treatment of specific complications such as restenosis, aneurysm, and arterial hypertension, regular checks are necessary in patients with surgery for aortic coarctation. In addition to clinical examination and exercise tests, magnetic resonance imaging is an effective noninvasive imaging method for follow-up.