Modification of the subclavian patch aortoplasty for repair of aortic coarctation in neonates and infants

Background. Coarctation repair in neonates or small infants, using a subclavian patch, has a relatively high risk of restenosis, especially if complicated by the presence of a short subclavian artery or long coarctation segment. We introduce a technical modification that facilitates the use of a subclavian flap, and decreases the restenosis rate in this subgroup of patients. It consists of a side-to-side transverse aortic anastomosis at the level of the coarctation, which widens the coarctation segment, shortens the isthmus, and pulls the distal end of the aortotomy proximally, allowing a tension-free subclavian flap aortoplasty. Methods. Fifty-three consecutive neonates or infants less than 18 weeks old, with complex coarctation, underwent repair using this technique. Mean age was 26 ± 3 days and 36 patients (68%) were less than 28 days old. Weights ranged from 1.4 to 6.4 kg (mean 3.4 ± 0.2 kg), and 26 patients had other cardiac anomalies. Preoperative gradient by Doppler measurement ranged from 25 to 90 mm Hg (mean 49 ± 2 mm Hg). Results. Mean aortic cross-clamp time was 27 ± 1 minutes (range 19 to 34 minutes). There were no deaths or surgical complications. Follow-up echocardiogram 4 to 52 months postoperatively (mean 25 ± 2 months) demonstrated no significant pressure gradient (less than 20 mm Hg) in 51 of 53 patients (96%), and a significant gradient in 2 patients (4%), which was subsequently corrected with balloon angioplasty. Conclusions. The technical modification described shortens the isthmus, and thus allows for a longer aortotomy distal to the area of coarctation resulting in a tension-free repair especially in patients with a short subclavian artery. It also widens the area of coarctation, and as a result leads to a lower early recoarctation rate in this high-risk group. With increasing emphasis on the need for a longer aortotomy to prevent restenosis, this modification will have increasing application, especially in the neonatal population.