Coarctation of the aorta is a condition in which the walls of the aorta become pinched, narrowed or pressed together, leading to various degrees of obstruction of  blood flow through the blood vessel. The narrowing may be in a specific location, or run along an entire section of the aorta. Aorta coarctation is one of the top five congenital heart defects that occurs at birth.

The age at which coarctation is diagnosed depends on the severity of aorta narrowing and its symptoms. Severe coarctation may be suspected in infants if a physician detects weak or absent pulses in the legs, groin or neck. If the condition is not detected in a newborn, it may go undiagnosed for many years. In milder cases, coarctation may not be detected until adolescence due to lack of symptoms. As the aorta becomes more narrowed, it may cause cold hands or feet, headaches and decreased tolerance for exercise.

Coarctation of the aorta can be treated with surgery or with less-invasive catheter-based methods. If corrected before 10 years of age, the majority of patients are successfully treated, although there is some risk that the aorta may once again narrow later in life. After treatment, patients will likely need to take antibiotics before any dental, medical or surgical procedure to reduce their risk of infection in either the aorta or one of the heart’s four valves (endocarditis). Long-term follow-up by a cardiologist is important for children who have been treated for coarctation to monitor for subsequent cardiac problems, such as hypertension.