A survey of the literature on coren. Operative mortality was reduced from 39% (1960 through 1970) to 26% (1971 through 1978). It was higher in patients operated on during the first three months of life and in those with associated cardiac lesions. The incidence rate of restenosis has diminished from 27% to 4% by using the aortoplasty with a subclavian flap. Since the natural and the "innatural" history emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for patients with coarctation of the aorta, these recent results suggest that the optimal time for elective surgical correction is around the age of one year, and that the subclavian flap procedure is the technique of choice at this age.