Coarctation Of The Aorta

7 PAGES (1250 WORDS) Medicine and Surgery Paper

COARCTATION OF THE AORTA

INTRODUCTION

Coarctation of the aorta are also called aortic narrowing is a congenital condition where by the aorta is narrow, usually in the area where the ductus arteriosus become ligamantum arteriosum after regression. Coarctation are common in aortic arch. The arch may be small in babies with coarctation. Other heart defects may also occur when coarctation is presents, typically occurring on the left side of the heart. When a patient has coartation, the left ventricle has to work harder. Since the aorta is narrowed the left ventricle must generate much higher pressure than normal, in order to force enough blood through the aorta to deliver blood to the lower part of the body. If the narrowing is severs enough to the left ventricle, it may not be strong enough to push blood through the coarctation, this resulting lack of blood to the lower left of the body.

DEFINATION

COARCTATION OF THE AORTA: - Is a congenital heart defect, where there is narrowing in the part of the aorta.

CAUSES: The cause is unknown