Aortic coarctation causes
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S.[2], Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S.[4]
Overview
Like many congenital heart diseases, the cause of aortic coarctation is not clear. Clinical studies suggest that genetic and environmental factors both play an important role during pregnancy. Additional research suggests a possible link between other congenital heart diseases and an aortic coarctation, indicating that those with congenital heart disease are more likely to have an accompanying secondary defect.
Causes
The aorta carries blood from the heart to the vessels that supply the body with blood and nutrients. If part of the aorta is narrowed, it is hard for blood to pass through the artery. Aortic coarctation is more common in persons with certain genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome. However, it can also be due to birth defects of the aortic valves. Aortic coarctation is one of the more common heart conditions that are present at birth (congenital heart conditions). It is usually diagnosed in children or adults under age 40.
Coarctation of the aorta may be seen with other congenital heart defects, such as:
- Bicuspid aortic valve
- Defects in which only one ventricle is present
- Ventricular septal defect
There are rare instances of autosomal dominant inheritance.