Coarctation of the Aorta
Alternate Names : Aortic Coarctation, CoA
What are the treatments for the condition?
Severely affected infants with coarctation of the aorta may need
surgery shortly after birth. Before surgery, these infants may need aggressive
treatment in the intensive care unit.
This may include powerful medicines and an artificial breathing machine called a
ventilator.
For those with no symptoms at birth, surgery is often advised
later in childhood or in early adulthood when symptoms or heart damage begin.
The goal of surgery is to remove or bypass the narrowed part of the aorta.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infections,
allergic reactions
to anesthesia,
and even death.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
After recovering from surgery, most people do well. Long-term
follow-up care is needed to watch for or treat high blood pressure,
which is fairly common after surgery. Narrowing in the aorta can recur,
especially in children less than 5 years old. In the absence of high blood
pressure, most people can resume a normal life after recovery.
How is the condition monitored?
Long-term monitoring of blood pressure
is needed. Other monitoring may be needed if heart damage or other heart
defects are present before surgery. Any new or worsening symptoms should
be reported to the doctor.
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