Balloon-expandable versus self-expanding stents in native coarctation of the aorta: three-year results of a randomised controlled trial

The evidence regarding the mid- and long-term follow-up of transcatheter intervention for coarctation of aorta (CoA) is limited, with the majority of the relevant studies being retrospective in design with small study populations123. Previously, we reported the 1-year results of a randomised controlled trial comparing balloon-expandable stents (BES) and self-expanding stents (SES) in patients with de novo native CoA4. Herein, we have summarised the 3-year follow-up results (IRCT20181022041406N3).

Adult patients with de novo native CoA and no prior history of surgical or endovascular coarctoplasty were included (Central illustration). A structural follow-up, encompassing transthoracic echocardiography and aortic computed tomography angiography was performed at 1- and 3-year follow-up. A supervised exercise test to detect masked hypertension was added to the 3-year follow-up. The main outcomes assessed were the 3-year rates of recoarctation, aortic injuries, and residual hypertension. A detailed description of the eligibility criteria, randomisation, procedural details, and study outcomes has been published previously4 and is summarised in Supplementary Appendix 1, Supplementary Appendix 2 and Supplementary Appendix 3.

Of 92 patients...