Coarctation of the aorta at unusual sites: Report of two cases with angiocardiographic and operative findings

1. 1. Coarctation at an unusual site in the thoracic aorta of one patient and in the abdominal aorta of another has been demonstrated by angiocardiography and at operation. 2. 2. It is felt that the occurrence of aortic obstruction at such unusual sites, though admittedly rare, nonetheless provides a strong argument for routine use of angiocardiography preliminary to surgical treatment of coarctation. 3. 3. Ten similar cases collected from the literature are reviewed and discussed from the standpoint of the etiological basis. Although proof of any theory is lacking, it is felt that the stenosis in such instances is a congenital lesion. 4. 4. Thoracic and abdominal aortic constriction would appear to have a different though possibly related pathogenesis.