Coarctation of the Aorta
Pronunciation: koh-ark-TAY-shun
A congenital narrowing of the aorta that obstructs blood flow and can cause hypertension and heart failure.
Full Definition
Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) is a congenital heart defect characterized by narrowing of the aorta, most commonly occurring just distal to the left subclavian artery near the ductus arteriosus. This narrowing creates an obstruction to blood flow, leading to increased workload on the left ventricle, hypertension in the upper extremities, and decreased blood pressure in the lower extremities. CoA may present in infancy with congestive heart failure or later in life with hypertension and differential blood pressures between arms and legs.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as CoA. Note the correct spelling of 'coarctation' - often misspelled as 'coartion' or 'coarcation'.
In Context
- "The infant presented with Coarctation of the Aorta and required balloon angioplasty." — Pediatric cardiology consultation
- "Coarctation of the Aorta was suspected based on the significant blood pressure differential between upper and lower extremities." — Physical examination findings