Abstract

Aim of this study was to establish what features must be evaluated in patients with aortic coarctation, to assess their fitness to sport. During the last ten years, 10 patients affected by aortic coarctation have been examined to this purpose. Two of them had a hemodynamically unsignificant form, 8 patients had been operated on either infant age, because of congestive heart failure, or at older age. Our report indicate that complete evaluation of anatomical and hemodynamic status is now possible with noninvasive techniques: pressure gradient between upper and lower limbs during exercise, as well as detection of associated defects or re-coarctation in operated patients. These data must be correlated to the specific sport the fitness is requested for, together with evaluation of consequence, for subjects, in being included or excluded from competition, especially if in definitive way and in individuals already practicing sports. Verf.-Referat