A Pregnant Patient with Native Aortic Coarctation and Aneurysm

Endovascular repair of de novo post-stenotic aortic coarctation aneurysms with complex collateral supply: two cases with long and medium term follow-up

Purpose

To report the technical details and outcomes of the endovascular repair of two cases of de novo post-stenotic aortic coarctation aneurysms complicated by complex collateral supply.

Case presentations

Two patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms complicated by complex aneurysm sac collaterals distal to a previously untreated thoracic aortic coarctation have been treated at our institution. Open surgical intervention was deemed to carry a high risk of haemorrhage due to the degree and complexity of arterial collateralisation. In the first case, selective embolisation of collateral vasculature was performed prior to successful exclusion of the aneurysm with a thoracic endovascular stent-graft and then balloon-expandable stent dilatation of the coarctation stenosis. In the second case, the additional technique of using a jailed sheath within the aneurysm sac allowed for selective embolisation of previously inconspicuous collaterals after deployment of the stent-graft and stent combination.

Results

Technical success was achieved in both patients with successful occlusion of the aneurysm, with no recorded complications or aneurysm sac perfusion in the long and medium term follow up periods respectively.

Conclusion

De novo post stenotic aortic coarctation aneurysms are rare. Endovascular repair is a safe and durable technique that provides a less invasive alternative to open surgical repair. The use of a jailed sheath allows for complete selective embolisation of complex collaterals avoiding a type II aneurysm endoleak.

Aortic Coarctation

We report a case of a 45-year-old male suffering from arterial hypertension who was found to have an aortic coarctation with marked hypertrophic compensatory collateral arterial circulation. Although coarctation is relatively rare, this must be included in the differential diagnosis in patients with arterial hypertension with a positive gradient between upper and lower limbs.

Neuraxial anaesthesia in parturient with cardiac disease

Parturient with corrected or uncorrected cardiac problem may undergo neuraxial anaesthesia for several reasons and in different trimesters. The altered physiological state in a parturient is further deranged in the presence of a cardiovascular lesion, producing the added risk to the parturient undergoing a neuraxial block. A detailed evaluation, knowledge regarding cardiovascular disease state, more vigilant monitoring, and a team approach can lead to a successful outcome.