Patch grafts or tubular grafts in the repair of coarctation of the aorta. A follow-up study.

The occurrence of aneurysms after repair of aortic coarctation with patch graft and tubular graft techniques was studied. In the patch graft group, 3 out of 6 re-investigated patients developed aneurysms; 2 of them after several years. It is suggested that the causes of aneurysms originate from mechanical factors. In the tubular graft group, 2 out of 18 patients developed aneurysms. In this group, the aneurysms seemed to be due to infection.