Learn About Coarctation of the Aorta

What is the definition of Coarctation of the Aorta?

The aorta is a larger artery that carries blood from the heart to the vessels that supply the rest of the body with blood. If part of the aorta is narrowed, it is hard for blood to pass through the artery. This is called coarctation of the aorta. It is a type of birth defect.

What are the alternative names for Coarctation of the Aorta?

Aortic coarctation

What are the causes of Coarctation of the Aorta?

The exact cause of coarctation of the aorta is unknown. It results from abnormalities in development of the aorta prior to birth.

Aortic coarctation is more common in people with certain genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome.

Aortic coarctation is one of the more common heart conditions that are present at birth (congenital heart defects). This abnormality accounts for about 5% of all congenital heart defects. It is most often diagnosed in children or adults under age 40.

People who have this problem with their aorta may also have a weak area in the wall of blood vessels in their brain. This weakness causes the blood vessel to bulge or balloon out. This is known as a berry aneurysm. These may rupture causing a certain type of stroke (due to bleeding).

Coarctation of the aorta may be seen with other congenital heart defects, such as:

  • Bicuspid aortic valve
  • Aortic stenosis
  • Ventricular septal defect
  • Patent ductus arteriosus
What are the symptoms of Coarctation of the Aorta?

Symptoms depend on how much blood can flow through the artery. Other heart defects may also play a role.

About half of newborns with this problem will have symptoms in the first few days of life. These can include breathing fast, problems eating, increased irritability, and increased sleepiness or becoming poorly responsive. In severe cases, the infant may develop heart failure and shock.

In milder cases, symptoms may not develop until the child has reached adolescence. Symptoms can include:

  • Chest pain
  • Cold feet or legs
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Decreased ability to exercise
  • Failure to thrive
  • Leg cramps with exercise
  • Nosebleed
  • Poor growth
  • Pounding headache
  • Shortness of breath

There may also be no symptoms.

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What are the current treatments for Coarctation of the Aorta?

Most newborns with symptoms will have surgery either right after birth or soon afterward. They will first receive medicines to stabilize them.

Children who are diagnosed when they are older will also need surgery. In most cases, the symptoms are not as severe, so more time can be taken to plan for surgery.

During surgery, the narrowed part of the aorta will be removed or opened.

  • If the problem area is small, the two free ends of the aorta may be reconnected. This is called an end-to-end anastomosis.
  • If a large part of the aorta is removed, a graft or one of the patient's own arteries may be used to fill the gap. The graft may be man-made or be taken from a cadaver.

Sometimes, doctors will try to stretch open the narrowed part of the aorta by using a balloon that is widened inside the blood vessel. This type of procedure is called a balloon angioplasty. It may be done instead of surgery, but it has a higher rate of failure.

Older children usually need medicines to treat high blood pressure after surgery. Some will need lifelong treatment for this problem.

Who are the top Coarctation of the Aorta Local Doctors?
Dimitris Tousoulis
Elite in Coarctation of the Aorta
Elite in Coarctation of the Aorta
114 Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, 
Athens, ESYE31, GR 

Dimitris Tousoulis practices in Athens, Greece. Tousoulis and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Coarctation of the Aorta. Their top areas of expertise are Atherosclerosis, Coronary Heart Disease, Hypertension, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), and Heart Bypass Surgery.

Elite in Coarctation of the Aorta
Elite in Coarctation of the Aorta

Mayo Clinic

200 1st St Sw, 
Rochester, MN 
Languages Spoken:
English
Accepting New Patients

Alexander Egbe is a Cardiologist in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Egbe and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Coarctation of the Aorta. His top areas of expertise are Coarctation of the Aorta, Tetralogy of Fallot, Ebstein's Anomaly, Heart Transplant, and Aortic Valve Replacement. Dr. Egbe is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in Coarctation of the Aorta
Elite in Coarctation of the Aorta

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, MN 
Languages Spoken:
English
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Heidi Connolly is a Cardiologist in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Connolly and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Coarctation of the Aorta. Her top areas of expertise are Ebstein's Anomaly, Coarctation of the Aorta, Tetralogy of Fallot, Heart Transplant, and Cardiac Ablation. Dr. Connolly is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Coarctation of the Aorta?

Coarctation of the aorta can be cured with surgery. Symptoms quickly get better after surgery.

However, there is an increased risk for death due to heart problems among those who have had their aorta repaired. Lifelong follow-up with a cardiologist is recommended.

Without treatment, most people die before age 40. For this reason, doctors most often recommend that the person has surgery before age 10. Most of the time, surgery to fix the coarctation is done during infancy.

Narrowing or coarctation of the artery can return after surgery. This is more likely in people who had surgery as a newborn.

What are the possible complications of Coarctation of the Aorta?

Complications that may occur before, during, or soon after surgery include:

  • An area of the aorta becomes very large or balloons out
  • Tear in the wall of the aorta
  • Rupture of the aorta
  • Bleeding in the brain
  • Early development of coronary artery disease (CAD)
  • Endocarditis (infection in the heart)
  • Heart failure
  • Hoarseness
  • Kidney problems
  • Paralysis of the lower half of the body (a rare complication of surgery to repair coarctation)
  • Severe high blood pressure
  • Stroke

Long-term complications include:

  • Continued or repeated narrowing of the aorta
  • Endocarditis
  • High blood pressure
When should I contact a medical professional for Coarctation of the Aorta?

Contact your provider if:

  • You or your child has symptoms of coarctation of the aorta
  • You develop fainting or chest pain (these may be signs of a serious problem)
How do I prevent Coarctation of the Aorta?

There is no known way to prevent this disorder. However, being aware of your risk may lead to early diagnosis and treatment.

What are the latest Coarctation of the Aorta Clinical Trials?
Assessment of the Impact of Transcatheter Stenting of Aortic Coarctation on the Left Ventricular Afterload and Work Using Left Ventricular Pressure Volume Loops

Summary: Coarctation of the aorta accounts for 4-7% of all congenital heart disease. While stent therapy, when feasible, is the standard of care for coarctation, it may not completely improve the work (and afterload) of the heart due to its effects on the elasticity of the aorta. This study will provide the information needed to understand the effects of current management on the cardiac mechanics and work...

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Analgesic Effect of Ultrasound Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Serratus Anterior Plane Block in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Aortic Coarctectomy , a Randomized Controlled Study .

Summary: Pain is considered to be subjective, however, in children, it is believed to be felt rather than expressed because they often depend on the caregiver for their safety and well-being. There is significant pain after thoracotomy surgery because of pleural and muscular damage, ribcage disruption, and intercostal nerve damage during surgery, which if not effectively managed, will lead to various syste...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: October 23, 2023
Published By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Valente AM, Dorfman AL, Babu-Narayan SV, Krieger EV. Congenital heart disease in the adolescent and adult. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 82.

Well A, Fraser CD. Congenital heart disease. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 59.