Coarctation of the Aorta
Coarctation of the Aorta
- Narrowing of the aorta
- Commonly just after the left subclavian artery branches from the arch, but can occur at other locations as well.
- Collateral circulation tends to form around the coarctation.
- Usually associated with congenital heart disease, especially in Turner Syndrome; rarely occurs in the general population.
- When coarctation occurs after the left subclavian artery, upper body pressure is elevated (upper extremity hypertension)
- If uncorrected, coarctation can lead to coronary artery disease, aneurysm, cerebral vascular disease, or ventricular dysfunction by the time the patient reaches 30-40 years of age.