Keeping a regular schedule of appointments with a cardiologist after a coarctation procedure is complete helps increase the chances of optimal health for the patients. Depending on the severity of the patient's condition, which is evaluated on a case-by-case level, visiting a cardiologist can be a once a year or less frequent surveillance check up. It is important to visit the cardiologist on a regular basis.
īecause of the risk of recoarctation and late hypertension, check-ups are needed once a year or less frequently depending on the individual case. Postductal coarctation is most likely the result of the extension of a muscular artery (ductus arteriosus) into an elastic artery (aorta) during fetal life, where the contraction and fibrosis of the ductus arteriosus upon birth subsequently narrows the aortic lumen. It is associated with notching of the ribs (because of collateral circulation), hypertension in the upper extremities, and weak pulses in the lower extremities. Even with an open ductus arteriosus, blood flow to the lower body can be impaired. Postductal coarctation: The narrowing is distal to the insertion of the ductus arteriosus.This kind usually appears when the ductus arteriosus closes. Ductal coarctation: The narrowing occurs at the insertion of the ductus arteriosus.This is the type seen in approximately 5% of infants with Turner syndrome. 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. Blood flow to the aorta that is distal to the narrowing is dependent on the ductus arteriosus therefore severe coarctation can be life-threatening. Preductal coarctation: The narrowing is proximal to the ductus arteriosus.There are three types of aortic coarctations: Physiologically its complete form is manifested as interrupted aortic arch. If the narrowing is severe enough, the left ventricle may not be strong enough to push blood through the coarctation, thus resulting in lack of blood to the lower half of the body. Since the aorta is narrowed, the left ventricle must generate a much higher pressure than normal in order to force enough blood through the aorta to deliver blood to the lower part of the body. When a patient has a coarctation, the left ventricle has to work harder. Other heart defects may also occur when coarctation is present, typically occurring on the left side of the heart. The arch may be small in babies with coarctations. Coarctations are most common in the aortic arch.
Coarctation of the aorta ( CoA or CoAo), also called aortic narrowing, is a congenital condition whereby the aorta is narrow, usually in the area where the ductus arteriosus (ligamentum arteriosum after regression) inserts.
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