Coarctation of the Aorta

Question 1

What is coarctation of the aorta

Answer 1

Congenital condition where there is narrowing of the aortic arch usually around the ductus arteriosus.

Question 2

What happens to the pressure in the heart

Answer 2

Reduces the pressure of the blood flowing to the arteries which are distal to the narrowing.
Increases pressure in areas proximal to the narrowing such as heart and first three branches

Question 3

Symptoms of coarctation

Answer 3

Tachypnoea, increased WOB, poor feeding, floppy and grey baby, underdeveloped left arm and legs

Question 4

Signs of coarctation

Answer 4

Weak femoral pulses, systolic murmur below left clavicle, LV heave, differing pre and post- ductal sats, radio-femoral delay, HTN, HF

Question 5

What is the use of the prostaglandin E infusion

Answer 5

used to keep ductus arteriosus from open while waiting for surgery to allow some blood flow through the ductus arteriosus into the systemic circulation.

Question 6

Management of coarctation

Answer 6

Emergency surgery shortly after birth if severe, some can live symptom free until adulthood. Surgery to correct coarctation and ligate ductus arteriosus - most managed by angioplasty or stent insertion

Question 7

Which condition is associated with coarctation

Answer 7

Turner’s syndrome