What is Juxtaductal coarctation?
Coarctation occurs most commonly in a short segment of the aorta just beyond where the arteries to the head and arms take off, as the aorta arches inferiorly toward the chest and abdomen. This portion of the aorta is called the “juxtaductal” aorta, or the part near where the ductus arteriosus attaches.
Is coarctation of the aorta life threatening?
If the coarctation of the aorta is severe, your heart might not be able to pump enough blood to your other organs. This can cause heart damage and may lead to kidney failure or other organ failure. Complications are also possible after treatment for coarctation of the aorta.
What is post ductal coarctation of aorta?
Preductal coarctation results when an intracardiac anomaly during fetal life decreases blood flow through the left side of the heart, leading to hypoplastic development of the aorta. This is the type seen in approximately 5% of infants with Turner syndrome.
Can coarctation of the aorta be cured?
Coarctation of the aorta can be cured with surgery. Symptoms quickly get better after surgery. However, there is an increased risk for death due to heart problems among those who have had their aorta repaired.
What does coarctation mean in english?
Coarctation (pronounced koh-ark-TEY-shun) of the aorta is a birth defect in which a part of the aorta, the tube that carries oxygen-rich blood to the body, is narrower than usual.
Why does coarctation occur in aorta?
What causes coarctation of the aorta? Coarctation of the aorta may be due to improper development of the aorta in the first eight weeks of fetal growth. Congenital heart defects, like coarctation of the aorta, usually occur by chance, with no clear reason for their development.
How is coarctation of the aorta detected?
Tests to confirm a diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta may include:
- Echocardiogram.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG).
- Chest X-ray.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan.
- CT angiogram.
- Cardiac catheterization.
How long does surgery for coarctation of the aorta take?
The procedure takes about three to four hours. Your child will be admitted to the hospital the morning of the procedure and may return home the following morning. To perform cardiac catheterization, a tiny incision is made in the groin to insert thin, flexible tubes, called catheters.
What can happen if the coarctation is not repaired?
If not treated, it can lead to coronary artery disease, kidneys not working well, high blood pressure in the upper body and low blood pressure in the lower body, and even death. COA can be fixed by cardiac catheterization or surgery.
How long can you live with coarctation of the aorta?
Aortic coarctation is found in approximately 1:3000 newborns and, if left untreated, reduces the life expectancy to 34 years on average [1].
Is coarctation of aorta an emergency?
The obstruction to aortic blood flow through this narrowed segment is serious, and emergency life-threatening complications may arise (heart failure, refractory arterial hypertension, hypertensive crisis, aortic complications including dissection or rupture, infective endocarditis, cerebrospinal hemorrhagic or ischemic …