Anatomical/Physiological Correlates of Functional Capacity in Adults With Repaired and Nonsevere Coarctation of the Aorta

There is limited data regarding the interplay of anatomic and physiologic parameters with exercise capacity in adults with native or recurrent nonsevere coarctation of the aorta (CoA). The objective of this study was to use exercise stress echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to identify anatomic and physiologic correlates of exercise capacity in these patients. We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis of 54 adults with nonsevere CoA (repaired or unrepaired) followed at our institution between 2015 and 2020. Resting coarctation gradients were obtained using echocardiography. Exercise gradients and functional capacity were assessed using exercise stress echocardiography. Aorta anatomy was obtained using magnetic resonance imaging. Coarctation-to-diaphragm ratio correlated with minutes of exercise (r = 0.56,