Background Persisting arterial hypertension is a frequent finding in patients after successful repair of coarctation of the aorta. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the residual narrowing of the aorta on blood pressure and left ventricular mass in postoperative coarctation patients.
Material and methods The study was performed in 62 patients with coarctation of the aorta aged 31,5 ± 11,28 years and in 61 control subjects. Patients underwent successful surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta in the age of 11,82 ± 8,75 years, 19,1 ± 7,51 years ago. Blood pressure, thickness of the interventricular septum and posterior wall, systolic lef ventricul diamension and residual narrowing of the aorta were measured. Left ventricul mass and left ventricul mass index were calculated.
Results Hypertension was found in 54 percent of patients. More frequently in those with late surgery. Twenty two patients had residual narrowing of the aorta with gradient higher than 20 mm Hg. Left ventricular mass and wall thickeness were significantly increased in postoperative coarctation patients with hypertension in comparison with patients with normal blood pressure and healthy subjects. There was no difference of these parameters between patients with and without residual narrowing of the aorta. Positive significant relationship was found between the age during surgery and blood pressure. No correlation was found between residual narrowing of the aorta and left ventricular mass and wall thickeness.
Conclusions Persisting arterial hypertension exists in over half of the patients after successful repair of coarctation of the aorta. High blood pressure is more frequent in patients with late surgery and does not seem to be caused by residual narrowing of the aorta. Increased left ventricul mass in these patients is related to high blood pressure but not to residual narrowing of the aorta.