Coarctation of the Aorta Repair
What is repair of coarctation of the aorta?
Coarctation
of the aorta is a malformation of the biggest blood vessel
in the body (the aorta). The defect in the blood vessel makes
it narrow or small. Surgery can be done to make the narrowed
aorta larger.
Preparing for the procedure
Prior to surgery, the child will have tests to diagnose the problem, including an EKG, a chest X-ray and an echocardiogram. Once surgery is planned, blood tests are obtained to be sure there is no infection, no problem with clotting and normal electrolytes. A blood test to determine the blood type and compatibility will be performed so blood will be available for the surgery.
During the procedure
During
the procedure, the child will be placed under general anesthesia
and special monitoring IVs will be put in. The chest is entered
through an incision between the ribs on the left side. Different
techniques are used to relieve the problem, most often removing
the area of narrowing and suturing the aorta back together.
Occasionally, some patching techniques are used either using
the subclavian artery (the artery going to the left arm) or
artificial materials as needed. A small chest tube is then
placed for drainage, and the chest incision is closed. The
child is allowed to awaken from anesthesia, and the child's
blood pressure is carefully monitored in the Pediatric Intensive
Care Unit or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
After the procedure
After
surgery the child will need a number of days to recover from
anesthesia and from the surgery. In the first few hours up
to a few days, the child will be on a ventilator (breathing
machine) and may need support from IV medicines, in particular
to control high blood pressure. Many children need time before
their stomach starts to work again. They will get liquids
from the IV until their stomach is ready. Once they are able
to drink and eat, good care of the lungs is most important.
It is best done by having the child get up and walk as much
as possible.
Click here for recovery guidelines after discharge for congenital heart defect repair at the Inova Heart Center.
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Tetralogy of Fallot Repair
- Arterial Switch for TGA
- Atrioventricular Canal Surgery
- Bidirectional Glenn
- Fontan
- Heart Valve Repair and Replacement
- Ross Procedure for AVR
- Patent Ductus Arteniosus
- Coarctation of the Aorta Repair
- Systemic to Pulmonary Shunt
- Pediatric Recovery
