Predictive value of mild, residual descending aortic narrowing for blood pressure and vascular damage in patients after repair of aortic coarctation

Aims The significance of mild residual descending aortic narrowing in post-coarctectomy patients is not known. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of mild residual descending aortic narrowing on blood pressure and vascular damage in patients after repair of aortic coarctation. Methods and results In 107 consecutive post-coarctectomy patients, magnetic resonance imaging, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and B-mode ultrasound of the carotid arteries were performed. A significant residual aortic narrowing was defined as: (i) a resting blood pressure gradient ≥30 mmHg with hypertension or exercise-induced hypertension (European Society of Cardiology guidelines); and/or (ii) a site of repair/diaphragmatic aorta ratio