Coarctation of the Aorta Flashcards
What is coarctation of the aorta?
Congenital narrowing of the descending aorta (aortic arch)
What is Coarctation of the Aorta associated with?
Turner’s syndrome
Who is Coarctation of the Aorta more common in?
Males
What can be the only presentation in an infant?
Weak femoral pulse
What can occur in infancy due to coarctation of the aorta?
Heart failure
What can occur in adulthood due to Coarctation of the Aorta?
Hypertension
How does Coarctation of the Aorta present?
Radio-femoral delay
mid systolic murmur, maximal over back
apical click from the aortic valve
What type of murmur does coarctation of the aorta present with?
mid systolic murmur
Where can you hear the mid systolic murmur the best?
Over back- below the left clavicle and left scapula
What can occur but is not seen in young children?
notching of the inferior border of the ribs (due to collateral vessels)
What is the management of coarctation of the aorta?
Surgery to correct the coarctation and ligate the ductus arteriosus
What is given if there is a critical coarctation and there is a risk of heart failure and death shortly after birth?
Prostaglandin E is used keep the ductus arteriosus open while waiting for surgery
What is the immediate management of a child presenting with coarctation of the aorta?
Administer a prostaglandin
Which heart defect is coarctation of the aorta associated with?
Bicuspid aortic valve
