What is coarctation of the aorta?
Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta near the aortic arch that makes it hard for blood to pass through it. It’s commonly diagnosed in children and infants. Aortic coarctation is usually treatable with surgery and its impact can be managed with your doctor’s help. If untreated, it can lead to high blood pressure, heart damage, or other complications.
Penn Medicine’s expert cardiovascular team at the Aorta Center provides advanced, customized treatment for coarctation of the aorta, offering both minimally invasive procedures and complex surgical repair. As the leading provider of cardiology services in the southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey regions, our specialists use the latest research and innovative therapies to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Aortic coarctation symptoms
The symptoms of aortic coarctation depend on the degree of narrowing in the aorta and how much blood can pass through. Newborns with severe coarctation often show symptoms within the first few days of life, which may include:
- Fast or shallow breathing
- Difficulty feeding
- Heavy perspiration
- Pale skin
- Heart murmur
In milder cases, aortic coarctation may not be detected until adolescence or even adulthood. Some people don’t have any symptoms at all while others may experience:
- Chest pain
- Kidney problems
- Dizziness or fainting
- High blood pressure
- Cold feet or legs
- Leg cramps with exercise
- Nosebleeds
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
What causes aortic coarctation?
While coarctation of the aorta occurs more frequently in infants with certain genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome, the exact cause is unknown. In some cases, factors like the birth parent’s age, diabetes, or recreational drug use during pregnancy may also increase the risk of heart defects. Other heart defects linked to narrowing of the aorta include bicuspid aortic valve, aortic valve stenosis, ventricular septal defect, and patent ductus arteriosus.
Diagnosing aortic coarctation
When an infant shows symptoms of any congenital heart defect, their doctor checks their blood pressure and does a full physical exam. In the case of coarctation of the aorta, the pulse in the groin area or feet will be weaker than the pulse in the arms or neck. In addition, blood pressure in the legs is usually weaker than in the arms. Additional tests can help diagnose aortic coarctation.
Coarctation of aorta treatment
Like other types of congenital heart defects, aortic coarctation is commonly repaired with surgery. Your provider may also recommend medications or other treatments.
Advanced aortic care at Penn Medicine
Penn Medicine doctors offer advanced, specialized care for congenital heart diseases like coarctation of the aorta. We combine the expertise of an experienced cardiovascular team with access to the latest treatment options. Our cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and interventional radiologists work together to create a customized treatment plan for each patient. In addition, our commitment to ongoing research means you benefit from innovative therapies that may not be available at other institutions, giving you access to exceptional care close to home.