Congenital abnormalities of blood vessels. Coarctation of the aorta

Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of its part. This condition refers to congenital pathologies.

As is known, through the aorta, blood flows to all vessels from the heart. With the narrowing of the site, entry is difficult.

As practice shows, coarctation of the aorta is most common in people with certain genetic disorders (for example, Turner's syndrome). This defect can also be part of a congenital anomaly in the valves of the artery.

It should be noted that coarctation of the aorta is considered to be the most common congenital pathology of the cardiovascular system, detected from the moment of birth and up to the age of forty.

This defect can also occur in combination with other anomalies. The most common of them include:

• Pathology of the mitral aortic valve ;
• Presence of only one cardiac ventricle;
• Pathology of the interventricular septum.

The manifestation of symptoms of the disease depends on the ability to pass through the narrowed section of the blood vessel during a certain period. Moreover, the presence of additional anomalies in the development of the cardiovascular system only aggravate the condition.

As the observations show, the symptoms are manifested in the first days of life in approximately half of the newborns who have been diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta.

Mild cases are characterized by the absence of signs of illness before adolescence.

The signs of the disease are:

• Fainting;
• Dizziness;
• Bleeding from the nose;
• headache;
• Cold feet or feet;
• dyspnea;
• Cramps in the legs and increased blood pressure during physical exertion;
• Pain in the chest;
• Low growth;
• Retardation of development;
• Fatigue after exercise.

However, it should be remembered that clinical manifestations of the disease may be absent.

Coarctation of the aorta. Treatment

In most cases, when a newborn is diagnosed, surgical intervention is recommended after a short period or immediately. First of all, at the same time, preparations stabilizing the condition are prescribed.

When diagnosing pathology at an older age, surgery is also indicated. However, due to a weaker symptom, patients have the opportunity to prepare for the intervention.

During the operation, the narrowed aorta is opened. At small dimensions of the defect, it is removed, the ends of the vessel are connected. This method of surgical treatment is called anastomosis. If it is necessary to remove a site of considerable size, a Dacron transplant or part of another patient's artery is used to fill the anomaly.

In rare cases, balloon angioplasty can be used. But this method is characterized by a high level of failure.

Older children are prescribed drugs that control blood pressure. In many cases, this therapy is prescribed for life.

The disease can be eliminated by surgery. As practice shows, in most cases, the symptoms disappear after surgery quite quickly.

At the same time, the risk of a fatal outcome is high on the background of cardiovascular problems, including after surgery. In the absence of treatment, most patients die before the age of forty. Almost always the operation is carried out in infancy.

It should be noted that the narrowing of the lumen can also occur due to the loss of tissue elasticity in the walls of the vessel. In this case, an aneurysm can form. Prerequisites for its appearance can also serve as aortic sclerosis. Treatment for this disease is also shown surgically.

Coarctation of the aorta can not be prevented. Experts recommend regular examinations and, in case of necessity, to conduct treatment without delay.