Bypass graft for complex forms of isthmic aortic coarctation in adults

Bypass grafting for complex forms of coarctation has been poorly documented as an alternative to decrease the high complication rate associated with anatomic repair. Between mid-1980 and the end of 1994, 16 patients underwent bypass grafting for complex forms of isthmic aortic coarctation. Age ranged from 11 to 49 years (mean age, 28.4 ± 13 years). Indications were atypical anatomic forms of coarctation (n = 12) and reoperation after multiple or complicated previous coarctation repair (n = 4). Lateroisthmic bypass grafts were performed in 14 patients and ascending aorta—descending aorta bypass grafts in 2. There was no hospital mortality. Morbidity consisted of postoperative paradoxical hypertension in 3 patients. There were no spinal cord complications. One death 10 years postoperatively was unrelated to the surgical technique. One patient successfully underwent ascending aorta—descending aorta bypass grafting for a false aneurysm 10 years after lateroisthmic grafting. All patients were asymptomatic and all grafts, patent after a mean follow-up of 5.7 ± 4 years. On the basis of these results, bypass grafting appears to be a safe alternative in this select group of patients. The lateroisthmic bypass graft is the procedure of first choice, and the ascending aorta—descending aorta bypass graft should be reserved for failure of previous lateroisthmic bypass grafting.