Staged transcatheter therapy of coarctation of the aorta in children utilizing balloon-expandable covered stent grafts

Abstract

We present a series of three children with coarctation of the aorta (CoA); native CoA, recurrent CoA, and CoA with a patent ductus arteriosus. Each patient underwent transcatheter implantation of a Viabahn VBX stent with post implant high pressure balloon dilation. All cases demonstrated resolution of the CoA with no residual gradient from the ascending to descending thoracic aorta. All procedures were free of complications which allowed for hospital discharge on the same day. The small delivery profile, re-dilation capacity, and frame design of this stent make it uniquely advantageous for treating CoA in children.