Medical Services

A portion of the aorta, the major artery delivering blood from the heart to the rest of the body, is narrowed in the congenital cardiac disorder known as coarctation of the aorta. This constriction limits blood flow, therefore raising pre-constriction pressure and lowering the flow of oxygenated blood to the lower body. Coarctation can range in degree; some people have minor narrowing while others suffer more severe limits.
Typical newborn symptoms include trouble breathing, inadequate eating, and a weak pulse in the legs. Common indications in older children and adults are elevated blood pressure in the upper body, headaches, nosebleeds, and cold legs or feet. Untreated coarctation can cause heart failure, stroke, or problems connected to blood pressure.
Physical exams, listening for a cardiac murmur, and validation with imaging studies such as echocardiogram, MRI, or CT scans typically determine the diagnosis.
Surgical repair or catheter-based operations to remove or go around the narrowed part of the aorta are used as treatment. Early surgery is common for children and newborns to avoid problems. Most people can lead healthy lives with appropriate intervention; lifetime monitoring may be necessary to control blood pressure and heart condition.