P2.09 Increased Augmentation Index in Post-Coarctectomy Patients without Significant Restenosis

Objectives Despite successful surgical repair, post-coarctectomy patients suffer from early onset cardiovascular disease (CVD). Enhanced pressure wave reflections and increased arterial stiffness have been proposed to explain the increased risk of CVD. We therefore assessed arterial wave reflections and arterial stiffness in post-coarctectomy patients and matched controls. Methods We examined 10 post-coarctectomy patients aged 29 ± 7 yrs, 7 males, without significant restenosis and without antihypertensive treatment. Ten healthy age and gender matched subjects served as controls (age 26 ± 2 yrs, 6 males). Radial artery waveforms were recorded noninvasively by applanation tonometry using the Sphygmocor device. Aortic augmentation index (AIx) was calculated using a validated transfer function and corrected for heart rate. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured between carotid and femoral arteries. All measurements were performed three times on the right and left side and were averaged. Results Post-coarctectomy patients had a higher right-sided (11.4±16.8 vs −12.4±8.8, p