Coarctation of aorta

Coarctation Of Aorta. Coarctation of the aorta is a birth defect in which a part of the aorta is narrower than usual. It moves oxygen rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta most commonly occurring just beyond the left subclavian artery. Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta between the upper body branches and the lower body branches.

The condition is also known as aortic coarctation. A chest x ray might show a narrowing in the aorta at the site of the coarctation or an enlarged section of the aorta or both. For this reason coarctation of the aorta is often considered a critical congenital heart. Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta most commonly occurring just beyond the left subclavian artery. If the coarctation of the aorta is severe the ecg may show thickening of the walls of the lower heart chambers ventricular hypertrophy. A chest x ray creates images of your heart and lungs.

Either name indicates a constriction of the aorta.

The blockage can increase blood pressure in your arms and head yet reduce pressure in your legs. The aorta is the largest artery in your body. Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta between the upper body branches and the lower body branches. For this reason coarctation of the aorta is often considered a critical congenital heart. If the narrowing is severe enough and if it is not diagnosed the baby may have serious problems and may need surgery or other procedures soon after birth. The word coarctation means pressing or drawing together.