THORACIC DISEASES: COARCTATION OF THE AORTA

Coarctation of the aorta is a birth defect whereby the aorta is narrowed and not enough blood flow get through.  When a patient has a coarctation, the heart has to work harder to generate a much higher pressure than normal in order to force enough blood through the aorta to deliver blood to the lower part of the body.

Adult aortic coarctation usually presents with high blood pressure and typically occurs in the second or third decade of life.