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Coarctation of Aorta is a narrowing of the main blood vessel outlet from the heart. This defect is often found after the origin of branches that supply blood to the head, neck and arms. The narrowing causes limitation of blood flow to the lower part of the body and vital abdominal organs. The body tries to compensate for this by increasing blood pressure to try to force blood flow through the narrowed segment in the Aorta. The heart work in the strained condition, risking heart failure. The upper part of the body is thus exposed to critically high blood pressure while the lower half has lower blood pressure and in critical Coarctation, compromised blood flow. Both the high blood pressure in the upper part of body and the lower pressure in the lower part of the body could potentially cause organ system damage from bleeding and low perfusion respectively.

 

Most incidents of Coarctation of Aorta are not identified in antenatal scans. Babies are often well at birth and show little or no symptoms. They are detected by careful, specific screening examination that include measurement of both oxygen level and blood pressure in all 4 limbs. The difference in blood pressure of the upper versus the lower limb is the indicative feature of Coarctation of aorta. The diagnosis is confirmed by a detailed echocardiography.