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Objective: We investigated arterial functions by measuring carotid–intima–media thickness, flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, and distensibility and stiffness of the abdominal aorta as early indicators of cardiovascular risk in children followed up after coarctation repair.
Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with successful repair of coarctation and 27 healthy children were investigated. Two-dimensional echocardiographic images, and carotid and brachial ultrasound studies were performed.
Results: The ages of the study group ranged from 5.3 to 22 years, and those of the control group from 7 to 17 years. The age at time of surgery was between 0.23 and 257 months. Average follow-up duration after repair was between 11 and 257 months. The stiffness index of the abdominal aorta was significantly higher in patients with coarctation repair than controls (mean = 0.625 ± 0.41, mean = 0.11 ± 0.73; P = .007). Flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery in the first minute decreased significantly among the patients (mean = 4.5 ± 2.7, mean = 6.9 ± 4.5; P = .005). Age of the patients had a negative correlation with distensibility of the abdominal aorta (r = −0.572; P = .008) and a positive correlation with stiffness of abdominal aorta (r = 0.566, P = .009).
Conclusion: This study suggested that vascular wall changes in children and adolescents can be seen even after successful coarctation repair and may progress toward overt atherosclerosis at older ages.
Cite this article as: Çetiner N, Erolu E, Baran Him N, Şaylan Çevik B, Akalın F. Vascular wall changes and arterial functions in children with surgically repaired aortic coarctation. Turk Arch Pediatr. 2022;57(2):193-199.