Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital narrowing of the aorta usually distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery. Rare coarctation can occur at any point from the aortic arch to the abdominal bifurcation.
The condition occurs at an incidence rate of about 1 in 2,500 live births and is two to five times more frequent in males than females. Coarctation of the aorta is often associated with other congenital cardiac abnormalities, most often a bicuspid aortic valve, patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, or valvular aortic stenosis. It occurs in 35% of patients with Turner syndrome (XO).
Coarctation of aorta is the most common cardiovascular cause of secondary hypertension. The clinical hallmark of coarctation of the aorta is variance in blood pressure in the upper and lower extremities. The pressure gradient produced by coarctation causes hypertension proximal to the narrowed segment and occasionally, dilation of that portion of the aorta. Hypertension in the upper part of the body results in left ventricular hypertrophy and may produce dizziness, headaches, and nosebleeds.
Some congenital heart defects may have a genetic link, either occurring due to a defective gene, a chromosome abnormality, or environmental exposure, causing heart problems to occur more often in certain families. Most of the time, coarctation of the aorta occurs sporadically, with no clear reason for its development.
