23 Sep Coarctation of the Aorta: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Coarctation of the Aorta: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) is a congenital heart defect that results in the narrowing of the aorta, the main artery responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This narrowing can affect normal blood flow, causing the heart to work harder to pump blood through the constricted section. If left untreated, CoA can lead to severe health issues, including high blood pressure, heart failure, and other complications.
What Causes Coarctation of the Aorta?
Coarctation of the aorta is typically a congenital condition, meaning it is present at birth. The exact cause is unknown, but it often occurs in combination with other heart defects, such as:
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve: Where the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of three.
- Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): A hole in the wall separating the heart’s lower chambers.
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): A failure of the ductus arteriosus to close after birth, which allows blood to flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery abnormally.
In some cases, CoA may also develop later in life due to conditions like atherosclerosis or inflammation of the aorta, although this is rare.
Symptoms of Coarctation of the Aorta
The symptoms of CoA depend on the severity of the narrowing and the age of the individual. In mild cases, symptoms may not appear until later in childhood or adulthood, while in more severe cases, symptoms can manifest in infancy.
In Infants:
- Difficulty breathing
- Poor feeding and weight gain
- Pale or blueish skin (due to poor oxygenation)
- Excessive sweating
- Irritability
In Older Children and Adults:
- High blood pressure, especially in the arms
- Weak or absent pulses in the legs
- Muscle cramps or pain in the legs during exercise
- Frequent headaches
- Nosebleeds
- Chest pain or discomfort
It’s important to note that high blood pressure in the arms with low or weak pulses in the legs is a hallmark sign of CoA. Left untreated, the heart may eventually fail due to the increased workload required to pump blood through the narrowed aorta.
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