How does coarctation of aorta cause rib notching?
Bilateral symmetrical rib notching, readily appreciated on the chest image, is diagnostic of aortic coarctation. It is the result of obstruction of blood flow at the narrowed aortic segment, in conjunction with collateral blood flow through the intercostal arteries.
What is the prognosis of coarctation of the aorta?
Untreated coarctation carries a poor prognosis with average survival age of 35 years of age; with 75% mortality by 46 years of age (Figure 1)3. Long term complications are the consequence of long-term hypertension including premature coronary artery disease, stroke, endocarditis, aortic dissection and heart failure4.
What is the cause of coarctation of the aorta?
The exact cause of coarctation of the aorta is unknown. It results from abnormalities in development of the aorta prior to birth. Aortic coarctation is more common in people with certain genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome.
What is an expected assessment finding in a child with coarctation of the aorta?
During a physical exam, a doctor may find that a child with a coarctation has higher blood pressure in the arms than in the legs. The doctor also might hear a heart murmur or notice that the pulse in the groin is weak or hard to feel.
What is the most common manifestation of coarctation of the aorta?
High blood pressure is the most common long-term complication of coarctation of the aorta.
How does coarctation of aorta cause heart failure?
The extra work on the heart can cause the walls of the heart to become thicker in order to pump harder. This eventually weakens the heart muscle. If the aorta is not widened, the heart may weaken enough that it leads to heart failure. Coarctation of the aorta often occurs with other congenital heart defects.
Is aortic coarctation genetic?
Causes and Risk Factors Heart defects, like coarctation of the aorta, are also thought to be caused by a combination of genes and other risk factors, such as things the mother comes in contact with in the environment, what the mother eats or drinks, or medicines the mother uses.
Is aortic coarctation hereditary?
There is an increased chance of having the condition if another family member has it. It also occurs more often in certain genetic syndromes such as Turner Syndrome. Coarctation of the aorta is often linked to other cardiac defects. These include a bicuspid aortic valve.
What does it mean to have coarctation of the aorta?
Coarctation of the aorta. Coarctation of the aorta Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing, or constriction, in a portion of the aorta. The condition forces the heart to pump harder to get blood through the aorta and on to the rest of the body.
What does CoA mean in relation to heart defects?
Coarctation of the aorta ( CoA ) refers to a narrowing of the aortic lumen. Coarctations account for between 5-8% of all congenital heart defects.
Can a PDA cause coarctation of the aorta?
In coarctation, PDA should be right to left or bidirectional. Cannot rule out a coarctation of the aorta in the presence of a PDA. Often the PDA must constrict before a coarctation becomes evident.
How does coarctation of the heart affect the body?
The narrowing, or coarctation, blocks normal blood flow to the body. This can back up flow into the left ventricle of the heart, making the muscles in this ventricle work harder to get blood out of the heart. Since the narrowing of the aorta is usually located after arteries branch to the upper body,…