Coarctation of Aorta Interventions

Since its initial description in the early 1980s, balloon dilation (with or without stenting) as a treatment for coarctation of the aorta (CoA) has become increasingly common, particularly beyond infancy. Catheter-based intervention is generally recognized as the preferred method of treating recurrent rather native CoA. Though with availability of covered stents, most centers will consider treatment of the older children or adults with primary catheter therapy. Stent placement for relief of coarctation was described in the early 1990s and is now quite common across a broad spectrum of patients. This brief chapter will highlight the general principles for ballooning and stenting of CoA.