Anuloaortic Ectasia as a Late Complication Following Repair of Coarctation of the Aorta

Disability and death from aortic dissection or rupture and from aortic valvular dysfunction are known to occur late following repair of coarctation of the aorta. Two cases herein described illustrate successful surgical repair of anuloaortic ectasia in 2 patients nineteen and twenty-five years after repair of congenital aortic coarctation. These observations, together with previously reported experience, suggest the presence of an intrinsic weakness of the aortic wall, perhaps a part of a congenital diathesis that includes bicuspid aortic valve and coarctation of the aorta.