Coarctation Of Aorta

Coarctation of the Aorta is a congenital cardiovascular condition characterized by the narrowing of a section of the aorta, the body’s main artery responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood from the heart. This narrowing creates an obstruction that forces the heart, particularly the left ventricle, to work harder to pump blood through the restricted area. As a result, blood pressure often becomes elevated in the upper body while reduced blood flow affects the lower body.
This condition is usually present at birth and may occur alone or along side other congenital heart abnormalities. Symptoms vary depending on severity and age. Infants with severe coarctation may develop breathing difficulties, poor feeding, or heart failure, while older children and adults may experience headaches, leg cramps, fatigue, nosebleeds, or high blood pressure.

Diagnosis typically involves physical examination, blood pressure comparison between limbs, Echocardiography, or advanced imaging such as MRI and CT Scan. Treatment often includes surgical repair or balloon angioplasty to widen the narrowed segment. Early treatment significantly improves long-term outcomes and helps prevent complications like heart failure, stroke, or aortic rupture.