In most cases, surgery is done as soon as possible to repair the aorta, often within the first few days of a baby’s life. Typically, any other congenital heart defects are also repaired at this time. Adults with IAA who had surgical correction at birth may need additional surgeries or cardiac catheterization procedures later in life to widen narrow areas in the aorta.
Multiple surgical treatments are also available to treat newly diagnosed IAA in adults. The procedure used depends on the location of the gap and other personal health factors. The most common surgical approach in adults involves a single-stage surgery to create a new pathway for blood to flow. The new pathway goes around, or bypasses, the gap in the aorta where blood would normally flow. Minimally invasive procedures, such as image-guided percutaneous endovascular repair, may also be an option in some cases.
Adults with IAA may need additional ongoing medical treatments and support to manage other aspects of their condition.
