Coarctation of Aorta Repair

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital condition characterized by a narrowing of the aorta, the major artery responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This narrowing typically occurs near the ductus arteriosus, just beyond the arteries that supply the upper body. The constriction forces the heart to work harder to pump blood through the narrowed segment, leading to increased blood pressure before the constriction and reduced blood flow beyond it. If left untreated, CoA can result in severe cardiovascular complications, underscoring the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention. ​

The exact cause of coarctation of the aorta remains unclear, but it is predominantly a congenital defect, meaning it is present at birth. Several factors and associations have been identified:​

Genetic Factors: CoA is often associated with certain genetic disorders, most notably Turner syndrome—a condition where a female is partly or completely missing an X chromosome.​

Familial Patterns: There is evidence to suggest a hereditary component, as CoA can occur more frequently in certain families, indicating a potential genetic predisposition.​

Associated Cardiac Anomalies: CoA frequently coexists with other congenital heart defects, such as bicuspid aortic valve (where the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of three), ventricular septal defects, and patent ductus arteriosus.​

While CoA is primarily congenital, rare cases in adults can result from inflammatory conditions like Takayasu arteritis, which causes inflammation of the aorta and its branches.

The clinical presentation of CoA varies based on the severity of the narrowing and the age at diagnosis:​

Infants: Severe narrowing can lead to symptoms shortly after birth, including:​