Coarctation of the Aorta Page

Introduction

Welcome to the coarctation of the aorta page. On this page we provide a definition, sample heart sounds and links to the training lessons available on this site.

What is coarctation of the aorta ?

Coarctation of the aorta is a birth defect wherein the aorta is narrowed.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of aortic coarctation can include taking blood pressure, auscultation, cardiac catheterization, chest x-ray, echocardiography, CT and MRI.

Auscultation - Heart Sounds Recordings

Referencing the simulated auscultation below, this is coarctation of the aorta, a congenital abnormality. This first heart sound is normal. The second heart sound is intensified. There is diamond shaped murmur occupying most of systole and a high-pitched decrescendo murmur in the first half of diastole. In the anatomy tab you can see a constriction in the descending aorta which is responsible for the systolic murmur. There is regurgitant flow from the aorta into the left ventricle which causes the diastolic murmur. The left ventricle wall thickness is increased due to aortic pressure elevation caused by the aortic coarctation.