|
|
Coarctation of the Aorta
Alternate Names : Aortic Coarctation
Definition A birth defect in which the major artery from the heart (the aorta) is narrowed somewhere along its length, most commonly just past the point where the aorta and the subclavian artery meet.
Pictures & Images
 See all Pictures & Images
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Coarctation means narrowing; aortic coarctaction is a birth defect (congenital disorder) in which a portion of the aorta is narrowed. The aorta is the source blood vessel for many arteries, which supply the body with blood and nutrients.
Aortic coarctation causes low blood pressure and low blood flow in the arteries that branch off below the narrow spot; high blood pressure occurs in the arteries that branch off closer to the heart. As a result, aortic coarctation often leads to high blood pressure in the upper body and arms (or one arm) and low blood pressure in the lower body and legs.
Aortic coarctation is more common in some genetic conditions, such as Turner's syndrome, but it can also be associated with congenital abnormalities of the aortic valve, such as a bicuspid aortic valve.
Aortic coarctation occurs in approximately 1 out of 10,000 people. It is usually diagnosed in children or adults under 40.
Today's Top News Stories | • | Twofold Action Urged for Pre-Diabetes - Jul 23, 2008, 16:00
Goal is to prevent progression to the full-blown disease and its huge costs | • | Targeted Drug Boosts Survival Among Liver Cancer Patients - Jul 23, 2008, 17:00
Sorafenib added three months for those with advanced disease, study finds.
| • | Simple Procedure Improves Male Fertility - Jul 23, 2008, 14:00
Correcting varicose veins in scrotum boosts sperm count, motility, study finds. | • | Soy Linked to Low Sperm Count - Jul 23, 2008, 19:00
Could affect fertility, especially in overweight and obese men, researchers report. | • | Clinical Trials Update: July 23, 2008 - Jul 23, 2008, 09:58
- Neuropathy
- Breast Cancer
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
|
|
Jump to another section
• Definition
• Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Symptoms & Signs
• Prevention
• Diagnosis & Tests
• Treatment
• Prognosis
• Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
• Angina - Stable
• Aortic Dissection
• Aortic Insufficiency
• Endocarditis
• Heart Failure
• Hypertension
• Intracerebral Hemorrhage
• Left-Sided Heart Failure
• Stroke
• Turner Syndrome
Tests & Exams
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Chest X-Ray
• Doppler Ultrasound Exam of An Extremity
• ECG
• Echocardiogram
• MRI
• Pulse
• Thoracic CT
Surgery & Procedures
• Angioplasty
Other Topics
• Anastomosis
• Blood Pressure - Low
• Cardiovascular
• Chest Pain
• Dacron Graft
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Headache
• High Blood Pressure
• Muscle Cramps
• Nosebleed
Review Date : 10/29/2002
Reviewed By : Elena Sgarbossa, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
|
|
