%0 Journal Article %A James D. Wisheart %T Coarctation of the aorta %D 1970 %R 10.1136/thx.25.3.347 %J Thorax %P 347-354 %V 25 %N 3 %X In a series of 70 patients who had surgical correction of coarctation of the aorta between 1952 and 1969, the operative mortality was 7% and the complication rate was 14%. The mortality was particularly high in adult males over 30, with pre-operative evidence of left ventricular ischaemia. Simple surgical procedures had satisfactory results, but the use of prostheses carried a high risk, and turning down the left subclavian artery failed to lower the blood pressure. The blood pressure score fell by 68% after operation, and by a further 8% following discharge from hospital. This result was maintained up to 17 years after operation, and may be expected in all groups of patients. %U https://thorax.bmj.com/content/thoraxjnl/25/3/347.full.pdf