Can coarctation of aorta be diagnosed in utero?

Diagnosis. Coarctation of the aorta can be suspected during a routine prenatal ultrasound or after a fetal echocardiogram (focused ultrasound of the fetal heart performed by a fetal cardiologist).

Can coarctation of aorta be detected before birth?

Diagnosis. Coarctation of the aorta is usually diagnosed after the baby is born. How early in life the defect is diagnosed usually depends on how mild or severe the symptoms are. Newborn screening using pulse oximetry during the first few days of life may or may not detect coarctation of the aorta.

What is the pathophysiology of coarctation of aorta?

In the hemodynamic theory, an abnormal preductal flow or abnormal angle between the ductus and aorta that increases right-to-left ductal flow and decreases isthmic flow potentiates development of coarctation. Postnatal spontaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus completes the development of aortic obstruction.

What is the classical finding in coarctation of aorta?

This can often lead to high blood pressure in your arms but low blood pressure in your legs and ankles. With coarctation of the aorta, the lower left heart chamber (left ventricle) of your heart works harder to pump blood through the narrowed aorta, and blood pressure increases in the left ventricle.

What is foetal echocardiography in coarctation of aorta?

Foetal echocardiography in coarctation of the aorta: a shelf-like structure can be seen in (A) the ductal arch view and (B) two-dimensional sagittal view of the aortic arch. AAo, ascending aorta; DA, ductus arteriosus; DAo, descending aorta; PA, pulmonary artery; RV, right ventricle.

Can a coarctation of the aorta be bidirectional?

In coarctation, PDA should be right to left or bidirectional. Cannot rule out a coarctation of the aorta in the presence of a PDA. Often the PDA must constrict before a coarctation becomes evident. Assess for right/left heart disproportion (RVH/right ventricular dilation) as well as varying degrees of left ventricular hypoplasia

How does coarctation of the aorta affect newborns?

In the setting of severe postnatal coarctation following ductal closure, newborns have decreased stroke volume, increased left ventricular end diastolic pressure and elevated left atrial pressure which can progress to pulmonary venous congestion and pulmonary hypertension.

What does CoA mean in the aortic arch?

CoA can be present with an isolated narrowing of the aortic isthmus or with tubular hypoplasia of the aortic arch (transverse arch and isthmus). CoA has a variable spectrum of severity, ranging from unequivocal ductal-dependent systemic blood flow, to patients with borderline small arch dimensions who also have a PDA.