| Coarctation of the aorta | 1610.00000000000 | Coarctation of the aorta | Coarctation of the aorta | C | English | Cardiology | Child (0-12 years) | Heart | Cardiovascular system | Conditions and diseases | Adult (19+) | NA | | 2009-12-04T05:00:00Z | | Fraser Golding, MD, FRCPC | | | | 9.80000000000000 | 51.8000000000000 | 423.000000000000 | | Flat Content | Health A-Z | <p>Learn about coarctation of the aorta. This condition involves a narrowing of the major artery leading from the heart to the body, affecting blood pressure.</p> | <p>Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta, the major artery leading from the heart to the body. It is also referred to as aortic coarctation. </p> | | <h2> Key points </h2>
<ul><li>Coarctation of the aorta decreases the amount of oxygenated blood that can reach the body.</li>
<li>Babies with severe coarctation often show signs of congestive heart failure, difficulty feeding and gaining weight, sweating, and breathing faster than normal.</li>
<li>Most children will need a procedure, such as balloon angioplasty, to help relieve the constriction. </li>
<li>Studies show that long-term survival is shorter than average for people who have been treated for coarctation. </li></ul> | <p>With this condition, blood pressure above the constriction is high and blood pressure below the constriction is low. This leads to decreased blood flow to the lower part of the body. Coarctation of the aorta can also cause high blood pressure in the arms. High blood pressure is often a sign of the defect, as is a heart murmur. </p><p>Babies with severe coarctation often show signs of congestive heart failure, including difficulty feeding and gaining weight, sweating, and breathing faster than normal. </p><p>A chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram will be done to make a diagnosis. </p><p>Coarctation of the aorta occurs in 6% to 8% of patients with congenital heart disease. </p>
<figure class="swf-asset-c-80"><span class="asset-image-title">Coarctation of the aorta</span><div class="asset-animation"> src="https://akhpub.aboutkidshealth.ca/Style%20Library/akh/swfanimations/swf.html?swffile=Coarctation_aorta_MED_ANI_EN.swf" </div>
<figcaption class="asset-image-caption">Coarctation is a narrowing of the major artery leading from the heart to the body. This narrowing decreases the amount of oxygenated blood that can reach the body. If a patent ductus arteriosus is present it will allow some additional, though poorly oxygenated, blood to reach the body. </figcaption> </figure>
<h2>How is coarctation of the aorta treated?</h2><p>Most children will need a procedure, such as balloon angioplasty, to help relieve the constriction. In some cases it will have to be done immediately, while in others it can be done later in life. Treatment will depend on the age at diagnosis and the amount of narrowing at the site of the coarctation. </p><p>In some children, the narrowing can recur after a procedure. This is called recoarctation. </p><h2>What is the long-term outlook for children with coarctation of the aorta?</h2><p>Studies show that long-term survival is shorter than average for people who have been treated for coarctation. Children with this condition are thought to develop high blood pressure later in life, which can lead to conditions like coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and sudden death. </p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Coarctation of the aorta | | False | | | | | |
