Stent Implantation for Coarctation of the Aorta in Children <30 kg

Objectives Our aim was to determine key characteristics of stents commonly implanted in the aorta through bench testing and to describe our technique and acute results in patients weighing Background Despite the increasing use of stents for interventional treatment for coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in larger patients, use of large stents is controversial in small children. Methods Methods included bench testing of large stents, and retrospective review of all patients over 1 year of age who had stent implantation for treatment of CoA. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on weight. Paired comparisons were made before and after stent implantation, and group outcomes were compared. Results Sixty patients comprised the entire sample, with 22 patients assigned to group I ( Conclusions As in larger patients, use of large stents for treatment of CoA in small children is effective and safe in the short term. In these patients, stent redilations will be required, and follow-up is ongoing.