Coarctation of Aorta
Narrowing (can be severe) of main blood vessel that takes blood to the body
Causes decreased blood flow to the lower body and increased workload on heart.
Often diagnosed in newborn period or soon after.
Typically requires surgical repair.
May need additional stretching with a balloon or stent placement later in life.
The aorta is a large artery that helps deliver oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the organs of the body. It is shaped like a candy cane and has smaller branching arteries. Coarctation of the aorta is a significant narrowing that is typically located just past the branching points for arteries that go to the head and neck. The more significant the narrowing, the more difficult it is for the heart to send oxygen-rich blood to the body. This causes a lot of strain on the heart as well. Babies have signs of poor circulation and will often have breathing difficulties with coarctation of aorta. If diagnosed in the newborn period, sometimes a medicine can be given that helps deliver more blood to the body temporarily, but surgery is needed to correct the problem. Surgical correction involves approaching the heart from underneath the left shoulder blade and removing the section of aorta that is abnormal. The aorta will then be repaired and “reconnected”. This repaired site will usually grow with the child, but if it does not, a balloon catheter can be used in the future to enlarge it again. Sometimes, a stent needs to be placed to prevent recurrence. Patients who have coarctation repair are expected to recover well and be able to live normal lives. Activity and exercise are usually not a problem in the future as long as there are not significant associated problems.
