<aside>

Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) is a congenital narrowing of the aortic lumen, typically at the juxtaductal region (just distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery), leading to obstructed systemic blood flow and hypertension proximal to the constriction.

</aside>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR0WRndl-YM

![A narrow area (stricture) is present in the aorta and leads to restricted blood flow to the lower part of the circulation. Blood pressure in the arms and head is high, whilst that in the legs is low. Heart failure may develop. In most cases surgical repair is needed, sometimes in the early weeks of life.

Cardiology : Coarctation of the Aorta HD. Rch.org.au. Published 2025. Accessed July 11, 2025. https://www.rch.org.au/cardiology/heart_defects/Coarctation_of_the_Aorta_HD/](attachment:627069eb-2e0e-4153-ab34-5bfdad5a9200:5a_Coarctation_of_the_aorta.jpg)

A narrow area (stricture) is present in the aorta and leads to restricted blood flow to the lower part of the circulation. Blood pressure in the arms and head is high, whilst that in the legs is low. Heart failure may develop. In most cases surgical repair is needed, sometimes in the early weeks of life.

Cardiology : Coarctation of the Aorta HD. Rch.org.au. Published 2025. Accessed July 11, 2025. https://www.rch.org.au/cardiology/heart_defects/Coarctation_of_the_Aorta_HD/

Classification

Type Description
Preductal (infantile) Narrowing proximal to ductus arteriosus; severe; often ductus-dependent
Juxtaductal At the site of ductus (most common)
Postductal (adult type) Narrowing distal to ligamentum arteriosum; collaterals typically develop

![Coarctation of Aorta types. A: Ductal; B: Pre-ductal; C: Post-ductal. R.S.A: Right subclavian artery; R.C.C: Right common carotid; L.C.C: Left common carotid; L.S.A: Left subclavian artery; M.P.A: Main pulmonary artery.

Agasthi P, Pujari SH, Tseng A, Graziano JN, Marcotte F, Majdalany D, Mookadam F, Hagler DJ, Arsanjani R. Management of adults with coarctation of aorta. World J Cardiol 2020; 12(5): 167-191 [PMID: 32547712 DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v12.i5.167]](attachment:801f8b57-2734-48fb-91ac-ee7498266c8d:WJC-12-167-g001.png)

Coarctation of Aorta types. A: Ductal; B: Pre-ductal; C: Post-ductal. R.S.A: Right subclavian artery; R.C.C: Right common carotid; L.C.C: Left common carotid; L.S.A: Left subclavian artery; M.P.A: Main pulmonary artery.

Agasthi P, Pujari SH, Tseng A, Graziano JN, Marcotte F, Majdalany D, Mookadam F, Hagler DJ, Arsanjani R. Management of adults with coarctation of aorta. World J Cardiol 2020; 12(5): 167-191 [PMID: 32547712 DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v12.i5.167]

Etiology

Associated conditions:

Syndrome / Anomaly Frequency / Notes
‣ CoA + bicuspid aortic valve common
‣ Seen in ~50% of CoA patients
VSD, PDA, ASD Coexisting congenital heart defects
‣ Increased risk of intracranial aneurysms

Clinical features

Infantile Presentation:

Adult Presentation: