In a coarctation, this artery is narrowed or constricted which obstructs blood flow leaving the heart from going to the rest of the body. Blood pressure increases above this narrowing. Initially no symptoms may exist, but may develop as early as the first week after birth. In a newborn, the closure of a patent ductus with the presence of a coarctation may cause congestive heart failure or high blood pressure. In older children, symptoms may present as headaches, exercise intolerance, or high blood pressure.
Surgical repair depends on length of segment involved and the location of the narrowing.
The surgeon may be able to remove the narrowed segment, suturing the two normal ends together. Other options would include use of a patch sewn over the narrowed section or use of a synthetic material. Those decisions are discussed with family and surgeon at the time of the operation. Postoperative care of patients undergoing repair of aortic coarctation is usually uncomplicated. The normal hospitalization is three to four days.