Pre-operative Imaging of Critical Coarctation of the Aorta: Impact on Surgical Approach and Outcomes

Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) has been increasingly used for the evaluation of infants with aortic arch hypoplasia and coarctation of the aorta. The goals of this study were to compare echocardiographic and CTA findings in critical coarctation of the aorta, to evaluate each modality’s influence on surgical approach for repair and determine if pre-operative measurements or surgical approach are associated with residual lesions/re-interventions. This was a single-center retrospective cohort study that included 85 neonates and infants who underwent repair of coarctation/arch hypoplasia by three months of age. Two groups were compared: patients with pre-operative echocardiograms only and patients with both echocardiogram and CTA evaluations. 44 (52%) patients received an echocardiogram and CTA, and 41 (48%) patients received an echocardiogram only. Patients in the CTA + echo group had smaller mitral valve and ascending aorta measurements (p = 0.01). When comparing CTA to echocardiogram measurements, the aortic valve annulus, ascending aorta, proximal and distal transverse arch, and isthmus were smaller on echo (p < 0.01). A smaller aortic valve annulus and aortic root as well as thoracotomy approach were associated with residual gradients/re-intervention (p < 0.01). Our study found that patients who underwent CTA preoperatively had smaller left-sided structures. Aortic measurements were smaller on echocardiogram when compared to CTA. Smaller left-sided structures proximal to the aortic arch and thoracotomy predicted the development of residual lesions/re-intervention. CTA is useful in the surgical planning for neonates with arch hypoplasia/coarctation and may help risk stratify for residual lesions/re-intervention.