Coarctation of the aorta
Definitions
2
Posts
2
Posters
87
Views
-
Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta, the main blood vessel bringing red oxygenated blood from the heart to the body.
The aorta narrows, causing decreased blood flow to the lower half of the body. The heart has to pump harder to push blood through the narrowed aorta.
Infants with severe coarctation become suddenly ill when they are a few days old, showing signs of heart failure and decreased blood flow to the lower body. Older children with coarctation often have no symptoms.
The diagnosis is suspected based on symptoms and findings during a doctor -
a physical problem present from birth in which a part of the aorta (= the bodys largest artery) is too narrow:
Explore More Definitions
Browse our collection of 300,000+ community-written definitions