부산대학교 도서관

Coarctation of the aorta is a diaphragmlike ridge narrowing the lumen of the proximal descending aorta. Although surgical repair has proven to be a successful treatment of coarctation of the aorta, immediate and delayed postoperative complications are not rare. Of particular interest is the occurrence of aneurysms after Dacron patch aortoplasty—often decades after surgery. Delayed complication rates of up to 50 have been reported. We describe the clinical-radiologic presentations of 3 late complications of Dacron patch angioplasty aortobronchopleural fistula, leaking pseudoaneurysm, and giant descending aortic aneurysm—all successfully treated with bypass grafts. Because of the high incidence of delayed complications, lifelong surveillance is necessary. The chest x-ray may be the first clue to a delayed complication. Knowledge of radiologic findings is helpful in the detection of complications—before they become symptomatic. Transesophageal echocardiography, computed tomography angiography, or magnetic resonance imaging with multiplanar reconstruction is diagnostic.