Coarctation of aorta (narrowing of the aorta)

Description A narrowing of the ...

Description

A narrowing of the aorta, the large blood vessel that travels out of the heart delivering oxygen-rich blood to the body. This narrowing is usually located near where the aorta attaches to the heart. The heart has to work harder to pump blood through this narrowing. The symptoms experienced depend on the extent of the aorta narrowing and how long the condition has been present. This is a congenital abnormality and male infants are twice as likely to be born with this condition as females. Some patients with this disease will have other congenital heart defects as well.

Symptoms

Chest pain, shortness of breath, pounding headache, cold feet, elevated blood pressure with exercise, shortness of breath with exertion.

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Imaging studies to define the aortic defect may include: echocardiography, Doppler ultrasound of the aorta, CT scan, MRI, cardiac catheterization and/or aortography.

Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Troponin, X-ray

Other Specific Tests: Aortography, cardiac cathertixation, doppler ultrasound, echocardiogram

Specialists:
Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiology

Treatment

Treatment usually involves surgical repair, but at times balloon angioplasty can be performed. Mild coarctation may not require surgery or angioplasty.