Cor Vasa 2011, 53(3):154-157 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2011.035

An unusual manifestation of coarctation of the aorta in an adult

Martin Slabák^*, Martin Gřiva

Interní klinika IPVZ, Krajská nemocnice T. Bati, a. s., Zlín, Česká republika

Coarctation of the aorta belongs to the more common congenital heart defects. Even though the prognosis of the patient not treated surgically is rather poor, we may still encounter adult patients with this condition. The introduction of the article deals in general with the pathophysiology, diagnostics, and treatment of this disease. In our case report, we describe a patient in whom the diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta was established while searching for the source of peripheral embolization to the femoral artery. The relationship between this disease and impaired function and structure of the vascular wall, progression of atherosclerosis as well as the possible causal relationship with the peripheral embolization are discussed below. In adult patients, surgical repair and so far also interventional treatment pose a significantly higher risk than in children. Conservative treatment was chosen in this case.

Keywords: Coarctation of the aorta; Adult; Peripheral embolization

Published: March 1, 2011  Show citation