Enhanced Aortic Pressure Wave Reflection in Patients with Aortic Coarctation after Aortic Arch Repair.

Background: In patients with aortic coarctation after successful aortic arch repair, it is well known that early-onset cardiovascular diseases can develop.

Summary: We studied the pressure waveform in patients after aortic arch repair focusing on a pressure wave reflection. In patients after aortic arch repair, the repaired portion generates a new reflected pressure wave. As a result, the newly generated pressure wave causes aortic pressure augmentation, loss of pressure amplification, and left ventricular hypertrophy with fibrosis. Balloon dilatation of the aortic arch may also generate a new pressure wave reflection.

Key messages: In patients with aortic coarctation after aortic arch repair, the reconstructed site generates a new pressure wave reflection. This could be one of the causes of their future cardiovascular diseases.