Aortic Arch Reconstruction

Abnormalities of the aorta have been identified in patients who have undergone repair of coarctation of the aorta by various surgical techniques. These abnormalities are thought to contribute to ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension and exercise intolerance. Aortic arch reconstruction is performed for a variety of lesions besides simple coarctation of the aorta; these include hypoplastic left heart syndrome and its variants. In the latter group of patients extensive reconstruction is performed usually with a pulmonary homograft. We have previously shown that the neo-aortic dimensions and geometry are abnormal. The elastic properties of the neo-aorta, however, have not previously been described.