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Coarctation of the Aorta
Medical Questions » Coarctation of the Aorta
| Name: Coarctation of the Aorta |
| Also known as: Aortic Stenosis |
| A narrowing of the aorta, which is the main artery running from the heart through the chest and down the back of the abdomen. Only a short segment is normally affected and the severity of symptoms depends on the degree of narrowing. Usually diagnosed at birth or shortly afterward, although milder cases may not be detected until the child undergoes rapid growth in the early teenage years. |
Causes of Coarctation of the Aorta
Congenital condition (present since birth) that is more common in boys than girls. Often associated with abnormalities of the aortic heart valve. |
Symptoms of Coarctation of the Aorta
Children develop headaches, leg pain with exercise and frequent nose bleeds. The blood pressure is high in the arms, but low in the legs. |
Tests for Coarctation of the Aorta
Usually discovered by hearing a characteristic murmur when listening to the chest caused by the blood rushing through the narrowed section of the aorta. Diagnosis can be confirmed by an ultrasound scan. |
Treatment for Coarctation of the Aorta
Surgical correction of the narrowing with a synthetic patch to open up the aorta to its correct diameter.
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Complications of Coarctation of the Aorta of its treatment
Severe coarctation can restrict blood flow to the lower half of the body and cause heart failure as it strives to pump the blood past the obstruction. |
Likely Outcome of Coarctation of the Aorta
Results of surgery are very good, but without surgery, 75% of babies die in the first year of life. |
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