Background: Balloon dilation with stent implantation is a novel technique of aortic coarctation treatment. Residual arterial hypertension is a frequent finding (50% of treated patients), leading to major cardiovascular events and reducing life expectancy, even in the presence of stenosis resolution,

Aim of This Study: To determine feasibility of stent implantation in the aortic isthmus of an ovine model for the study of pressor, haemodynamic and hormonal changes induced in the growing animal.

Materials and Methods: Platinum-iridium stent was implanted in the aortic isthmus of 6 females sheep through vascular catheterization (STENT group). Vascular catheterization and angiographic study was performed in 6 control sheep (SHAM). All subjects had direct aortic pressure measurement during catheterization as well as echocardiographic and blood pressure measurements (through auricular artery catheterization) every 90 days. Twelve months after intervention the animals were sacrificed.

Results: Stent implantation did not affect growth and quality of life of the animals. Aortic pressure measurements performed during catheterization revealed a pressure wave morphology compatible with acute augmentation index alteration after stenting implantation. Auricular blood pressure did not differ among groups. One subject died after surgery for vascular access haemorrhage. Another subject died a few days after intervention. One subject developed aortic insufficiency after catheterization.

Conclusions: Stent implantation is feasible and well tolerated. This animal model can be useful to study the hemodynamic impact and the aortic stiffness induced by stent implantation and their consequences on the left ventricle and the vasculature.