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Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) [1] [2] is a congenital condition whereby the aorta is narrow, usually in the area where the ductus arteriosus (ligamentum arteriosum after regression) inserts. The word coarctation means "pressing or drawing together; narrowing".
A less common ring is present with a right aortic arch instead of the usual left-sided aortic arch. This compresses the esophagus and trachea because of the persistence of a ductal ligament (from fetal circulation) that may connect between the aorta on the front and the left subclavian artery posteriorly going to the left arm. [citation needed]
Interrupted aortic arch is a very rare heart defect (affecting 3 per million live births) [1] in which the aorta is not completely developed. There is a gap between the ascending and descending thoracic aorta. In a sense it is the complete form of a coarctation of the aorta. Almost all patients also have other cardiac anomalies, including a ...
Coarctation’s a fancy way of saying “narrowing”, so a coarctation of the aorta means a narrowing of the aorta. If we look at the heart, we’ve got the right and left atria, the right and left ventricles, the pulmonary artery leaving the right ventricle to the lungs, and the aorta leaving the left ventricle and going to to the body.
Coarctation of the aorta frequently causes a decreased blood pressure in the lower extremities relative to the arms, or delayed or absent femoral arterial pulses. Pheochromocytoma may cause abrupt episodes of hypertension accompanied by headache, palpitations , pale appearance , and excessive sweating .
Coarctation of the aorta which is, narrowing of a section of the aorta may also be observed. [1] Again this presents an obstruction to blood flow out from the left ventricle. [3] Since there is obstruction of flow into and out of the left ventricle, the prognosis depends on the degree of obstruction and its effect on blood flow.
Signs and symptoms depend on the specific type of defect. [3] Symptoms can vary from none to life-threatening. [7] When present, symptoms are variable and may include rapid breathing, bluish skin , poor weight gain, and feeling tired. [2] CHD does not cause chest pain. [2] Most congenital heart defects are not associated with other diseases. [3]
[2] [3] Major trauma, smoking, cocaine use, pregnancy, a thoracic aortic aneurysm, inflammation of arteries, and abnormal lipid levels are also associated with an increased risk. [1] [2] The diagnosis is suspected based on symptoms with medical imaging, such as CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound used to confirm and further evaluate the dissection. [1]