Coarctation of the aorta

Symptoms:

• dizziness
• pounding headache
• fainting
• nosebleed - symptom
• leg cramps with exercise
• absent or diminished pulses in the arteries of the groin (femoral pulses)
• cold legs or feet
• hypertension

Note: There may be no symptoms.

Signs and tests:

An examination reveals high blood pressure in the arms, with significant blood pressure difference between arms and legs. The femoral (groin) pulse is weaker than the carotid (neck) pulse, or the femoral pulse may be absent. Listening to the heart through a stethoscope reveals a murmur that is harsh and heard in the back. There may be signs of left-sided heart failure (especially in infants) or signs of aortic regurgitation.

Coarctation os often discovered during a newborn infant's first examination or during a well baby exam. The health care provider will detect that the femoral pulses are absent or very weak. This is an important part of the examination as there may not be any other symptoms or findings until the child is older.

Coarctation of the aorta may be confirmed by:

• coronary angiography, looking at the aorta
• chest CT
• MRI of the chest
• echocardiography
• Doppler ultrasound of the aorta
• X-ray of the chest (may also show abnormal ribs or "notching" of ribs caused by enlargement of the rib arteries)
• ECG that indicates left ventricle enlargement
• cardiac catheterization