Cardiovascular morbidities and mortalities due to persistent hypertension, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and increased LV mass have been reported in adolescents and adults with successful coarctoplasty. We evaluated progressive properties by measuring resting blood pressures (BP), LV functions and the masses in young children with successful coarctoplasty in infancy.

BP in the right arm and the left ankle, LV function and mass, by the use of M-mode and pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound, were measured in 25 patients, with a mean age of 6.4±3 years; and a mean age at the time of repair of 0.22±0.24 years, and in 22 control subjects, with a mean age of 5.8±2.4 years. All subjects were divided into two groups based on age (more than 5 years of age and less than 5 years of age) and were analyzed independently.

BP in the right arm and left ankle, LV function and mass showed no consistent differences between the two groups. However, as age increased, there was a tendency of wide pulse pressure (PP) in the right arm of patients contrary to that in the control subjects. The relative increase in the PP was mainly due to a relative decrease in the diastolic BP. There was a significant increase in the LV mass index of patients with increasing age (p<0.01). The LV mass index showed significant positive correlations with the systolic BP (p<0.05) and the pulse pressure (p<0.05) of the right arm of the patients.

We recommend careful long-term follow-up through out adulthood to reduce morbidity and mortality, even for children who received successful coarctoplasty in early infancy.