Coarctation of the AortaNancy McDaniel M.D.The heart in this defect has four chambers and four valves which are all put together normally. The problem in this defect is that there is a kink or blockage in the main blood vessel going to the body (aorta). This blockage makes the blood pressure in the main pumping chamber (left ventricle), and the beginning part of the aorta too high. This often gives the child high blood pressure in the upper part of his body. The blood then has trouble getting to the lower part of the body and the blood pressure in the lower part of the body is often low. Sometimes there is also a mild defect of the aortic valve such that it has two leaflets rather than three. The narrowing of the aorta (coarctation) can be fixed by an operation which either bypasses or removes the blockage or obstruction.
 Normal Heart  |