Aortic Stiffness by CMR in Aortic Coarctation

Patient criteria Inclusion criteria All patients with native or recurrent aortic coarctation between the age of 14 years and older. Transcatheter systolic gradient ≥ 20 mm Hg, body weight ≥ 20 kg, and normal LV ejection fraction (EF). Exclusion criteria Patients with obstructive lesion of LVOT or aortic valve dysfunction greater than moderate (requiring surgical intervention). Irregular cardiac rhythm. Patients with other causes of secondary hypertension. Contraindications to CMR: Any contraindications to undergoing CMR, such as implanted metallic devices incompatible with MRI, severe claustrophobia. Unicuspid aortic valve Associated complex congenital heart defects (aside from simple septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus) Genetic syndromes Connective tissue disorder History of surgery involving the aortic root or ascending aorta.