Coarctation of the aorta is a rare birth defect that squeezes the main artery of the body, causing high blood pressure and poor circulation.
Coarctation of Aorta
The narrowing usually occurs near the left subclavian artery, which supplies blood to the left arm and head, but can also affect other parts of the aorta.
Coarctation of Aorta
♦ Approximately 7% of congenital heart abnormalities
The ductus arteriosus is a normal part of fetal blood circulation. All babies are born with this opening between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. But it usually closes on its own shortly after birth. If it stays open, it is called patent ductus arteriosus.
♦ Manifestations depend on size of communication between aorta and pulmonary artery
♦ Indomethacin induce closure by inhibiting prostaglan_x0002_din E (PGE) synthesis
♦ Small PDA results in small left-to right shunt, with “machinery” murmur
♦ Very mild symptoms in patients with small PDA
♦ Large PDA results in large shunt, with pulmonary hypertension, eventuating in shunt reversal with cyanosis
Pulmonary stenosis
Pulmonary stenosis, also called PS, is caused by a narrowing of the pulmonary valve opening. PS restricts blood flow from the lower right chamber (ventricle) to the pulmonary arteries, which deliver blood to the lungs. It’s most commonly the result of a congenital heart defect.