Extraluminal compression of an aortic graft simulating recoarctation

Restenosis rarely develops after surgical correction of coarctation of the aorta in adults. Late morbidity is usually related to residual hypertension or progressive aortic valve disease. A patient in whom symptoms and signs of recurrent coarctation developed 19 years after initial graft repair is described. Dehiscence of the original silk suture line was found at operation. Extensive thrombus had produced graft compression. Milder hypertension persisted in the postoperative period despite relief of the aortic obstruction.