Treatment:

Surgery is usually recommended. The narrowed part of the aorta will be removed or opened. If the problem area is small, the two free ends of the aorta may be re-connected. This is called anastomosis. If a large part of the aorta was removed, a Dacron graft (a synthetic material) or one of the patient's own arteries is used to fill the gap. A tube graft connecting two parts of the aorta may also be used.

Sometimes, balloon angioplasty may be done instead of surgery.

Expectations (prognosis):

Coarctation of the aorta can be cured with surgery. Symptoms quickly get better after surgery.

However, there is an increased risk for death due to heart problems among those who have had their aorta repaired. But, without treatment, most people die before age 40. For this reason, doctors usually recommend that the patient has surgery before age 10. Most of the time, surgery to fix the coarctation is done during infancy.

Complications:

• Aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Aortic rupture
• Severe hypertension
• Endocarditis
• Intracerebral hemorrhage
• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Premature development of coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Paraplegia (rare complication of surgery to repair coarctation)
• Injury to the nerve to the larynx
• Residual narrowing of the aorta

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you or your child have symptoms of coarctation of the aorta.

Call your health care provider if fainting or chest pain develops; these may be signs of a serious problem.