Aortic coarctation in childhood. Surgical experience in 120 cases

: 112 cases of coarctation of the aorta and 8 cases of tubular hypoplasia of the aortic isthmus operated upon in the Children's Hospital "La Paz" from Madrid, are reviewed. All children were under 7 years of age. 64.2% of the cases of aortic coarctation were in the first year of life, 47.3% of them had associated lesions, being the most frequently present persistent ductus arteriosus and ventricular septal defect. Hospital mortality was 14.2%, what is considered as very acceptable. All the children operated upon for the correction of tubular hypoplasia of the aortic isthmus were in the first year of age. 75% of them had associated ductus arteriosus and ventricular septal defect, being hospital mortality of 62.5%. Most frequent postoperative complications and cause of death were due to broncopulmonary disorders secondary to the existence of a previous pulmonary hypertension.