General Information About Coarctation of the Aorta
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the condition of being born with the aorta vessel constricted (narrowed) in its middle, like an hourglass. The heart exerts excessive effort to push the blood through this narrowing.
It is a congenital heart anomaly resulting from the faulty formation of the vascular system while the baby is developing in the mother's womb. Although the exact cause is unknown, it is frequently seen alongside genetic disorders such as Turner syndrome.
The most typical finding of this disease is measuring very high blood pressure in the arms and head located above the narrowing, while having very low blood pressure (or unpalpable pulse) in the legs located below the narrowing.
In severe cases, respiratory distress, inability to feed, and heart failure develop in newborn babies. In milder cases in children and adults; coldness in the legs, pain and cramps in the legs when running/walking, headache, nosebleeds, constant high blood pressure, and palpitations are observed.
The doctor's inability to feel the groin pulses (femoral pulse) or finding them weak during a physical examination is the biggest clue. A definitive diagnosis is made by clearly imaging the narrowing with Echocardiography (Heart Ultrasound) and Contrast Tomography (CT Angio).
Coarctation of the aorta does not heal on its own or pass with medication; it must be opened mechanically. In suitable cases, the vessel is widened by entering through the groin using an angiography method and placing a Balloon dilation and Stent in the narrowed area. In more complex narrowings, the narrowed section is cut out and removed via chest surgery, and the healthy ends are sewn together.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
