This pinching restricts blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Diagram 2.9 Coarctation of the aorta 1 - pinched or coarcted aorta Flow patterns are normal but are reduced below the coarctation.
Blood pressure is increased in vessels leaving the aorta above the coarctation.
The broken white arrow indicates diminished blood flow through the aorta. Usually no symptoms are apparent at birth, but can develop within a week of birth with the closure of the ductus arteriosus. The possible consequences of this condition are poor feeding, an enlarged heart, an enlarged liver and congestive heart failure. Blood pressure also increases above the constriction. Timing of surgery depends on the degree of coarctation.