What happens in coarctation of aorta?

With coarctation of the aorta, the lower left heart chamber (left ventricle) of your heart works harder to pump blood through the narrowed aorta, and blood pressure increases in the left ventricle. This may cause the wall of the left ventricle to thicken (hypertrophy).

What does coarctation of the aorta sound like?

The typical heart murmur that is associated with a coarctation is a systolic murmur that is loudest in the back below the left shoulder blade (scapula). If a prominent back murmur is not heard and the child has a blood pressure difference between arms and legs a coarctation located in the abdomen should be considered.

What is a coarctation and the signs and symptoms of it?

What are the signs and symptoms of coarctation of the aorta?

• Labored or rapid breathing.
• Weak femoral artery pulse (taken in the groin area)
• Heavy sweating.
• Poor growth.
• Pale or gray appearance.
• Heart murmur: extra heart sound heard when the doctor listens with a stethoscope.

What causes a coarctation of the aorta?

Causes. The exact cause of coarctation of the aorta is unknown. It results from abnormalities in development of the aorta prior to birth. Aortic coarctation is more common in people with certain genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome.

How is coarctation of aorta diagnosed?

Coarctation of the aorta is usually diagnosed by echocardiogram (ultrasound pictures of the heart). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging), cardiac CT (computerized tomography scan), and cardiac catheterization angiography also show aortic narrowing.

When is coarctation of aorta usually diagnosed?

Diagnosis. Coarctation of the aorta is usually diagnosed after the baby is born. How early in life the defect is diagnosed usually depends on how mild or severe the symptoms are. Newborn screening using pulse oximetry during the first few days of life may or may not detect coarctation of the aorta.

Which of the following findings may be noted in a child with coarctation of the aorta?

Abnormal blood pressure is often the first sign of COA. During a physical exam, a doctor may find that a child with a coarctation has higher blood pressures in the arms than in the legs. The doctor also might hear a heart murmur or notice that the pulse in the groin is weak or hard to feel.

What does a bruit sound like?

Bruits are vascular sounds resembling heart murmurs. Sometimes they’re described as blowing sounds.

How is coarctation of the aorta diagnosed?

Why rib is notching in coarctation of aorta?

Bilateral symmetrical rib notching, readily appreciated on the chest image, is diagnostic of aortic coarctation. It is the result of obstruction of blood flow at the narrowed aortic segment, in conjunction with collateral blood flow through the intercostal arteries.

How is coarctation diagnosed?

Tests to confirm a diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta may include:

1. Echocardiogram.
2. Electrocardiogram (ECG).
3. Chest X-ray.
4. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
5. Computerized tomography (CT) scan.
6. CT angiogram.
7. Cardiac catheterization.

Is coarctation of aorta an emergency?

Coarctation of the aorta is typically thought to be a childhood disease. However, emergency physicians must keep a broad differential diagnosis when faced with a young patient with signs and symptoms of acute congestive heart failure.