Unveiling the Vascular Mechanisms Behind Long‐Term Effects of Coarctation Treatment Using Pulse Wave Dynamics

Abstract

The current issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) includes, 2 articles that focus on the effects of aortic coarctation treatment on the cardiovascular system several years after the treatment has been performed.1, 2 Even though different techniques for the treatment of a coarctation of the aorta have been successfully used for many years now, these patients have premature morbidity and mortality.3 The complications are manifold: hypertension is common among these patients in adulthood, followed or accompanied by additional morbidities such as increased left ventricular mass, impaired systolic or diastolic function, or coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease. Importantly, the risk of stroke also is increased.1, 2, 4, 5 The articles of Martins et al1 and Kowalski et al2 investigate the mechanisms behind the long‐term effects of aortic coarctation and its repair. The starting point for both studies is the fact that coarctation of the aorta has lifelong consequences even after successful treatment. In both studies, subjects were examined in early adulthood, thus several years after coarctation treatment was performed.