Left ventricular mechanical function and aortic elastic properties in newborns with aortic coarctation. Prognostic significance of obtained data

Abstract

Coarctation of the aorta is one of the most common congenital heart defects. Despite excellent early results of correcting isolated coarctation of the aorta in the neonatal period, in the long-term postoperative period such patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Today there are numerous studies demonstrating the signs of complex cardiovascular remodeling in patients after surgical correction of coarctation of the aorta. Pathological ventricular-arterial interaction is considered to determine the structural and functional changes in the left ventricle and the biomechanical properties of the aorta, which continue after correction of the coarctation segment of the aorta. In this respect, ultrasound evaluation of the left ventricle mechanics and aorta becomes a valuable diagnostic tool for dynamic monitoring of structural and functional remodeling of the left ventricle and severity of arteriopathy. Such evaluation will allow timely to detect increasing risk of cardiovascular events and to correct therapeutic measures.

Keywords

• arterial stiffness
• coarctation of the aorta