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Testing for coarctation of the aorta will indicate a low blood pressure in the lower body and a high blood pressure in the arms with a significant difference. The pulse that is generally found in the groin is often weaker or non-existent when compared to the carotid pulse in the neck. The stethoscope also detects a murmur that is often harsh and infants may show signs of left-sided heart failure or aortic regurgitation. Generally first examinations of newborn infants or well baby exams discover coarctation of the aorta and chest x-rays, echocardiography, chest CT scans, cardiac catheterization, MRIs, Doppler ultrasound, and ECGs are various tests that are utilized to determine whether an infant does have coarctation of the aorta (health.yahoo.com, 2004).
There are various things that can be done to help these individuals. Generally, however, surgery will be required. There are three different types of surgical techniques that can be used and these depend on the severity of the problem. Occasionally, some of the techniques are also combined in order to give the patient the best possible outcome....
The size of the patient, the size of the narrowing, the age of the patient, and any other associated problems will affect exactly what is done. Patients that are very stable and are not having serious problems from the coarctation of the aorta are much better candidates for surgery that patients that are struggling with blood pressure and blood flow problems. Infants that are between three months and one year have a better chance of surviving the surgery for coarctation of the aorta then those that are within their first three months of life. The smaller the infant and the more cardiac issues the infant had the higher the chance of mortality during or shortly after surgery. Despite the risks, however, if surgery is required than it is certainly something that the parents will wish to do (www.emedicine.com,2004).
Works Cited health.yahoo.com. (2004). Coarctation of the aorta. Retrieved 9 February 2005 at http://health.yahoo.com/ency/adam/000191/0.
A www.emedicine.com.(2004). Coarctation of the aorta. Retrieved 9 February 2005 at http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2504.htm.
Works Cited health.yahoo.com. (2004). Coarctation of the aorta. Retrieved 9 February 2005 at http://health.yahoo.com/ency/adam/000191/0.
A www.emedicine.com.(2004). Coarctation of the aorta. Retrieved 9 February 2005 at http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2504.htm.
According to a study conducted to "explore the feasibility and potential of 3D reconstructions of the aorta," 36 studies in both adults and children via 3D echocardiographic imaging revealed "six atheromatous lesions, four aortic dissections, ten coarctations, one aneurysm with a thrombus and one dilated aortic root" (Suqeng, Cao, et al., 1997, 120). Obviously, this highly-specialized technique allows clinicians and researchers to depict aortic lesions and abnormalities "in their
Aortic dissection is a disease of the wall of the aorta in which the aortic blood bursts into the muscular layer of the great artery, thus forming a blood filled channel along the planes of the muscularis layer. This false lumen can re-rupture back into the true lumen, through a second distal intimal tear, creating a biluminal or double barrelled aorta. Due to weakened walls, there is threat of rupture
Fatigability and dyspnea on exertion may be seen in PDA patients that have reached 40 years old, however, if their PDA has not been treated, or has not been treated properly (www.med-help.net). Having a PDA allows for blood to shunt from left to right, or from the systemic circulation to the pulmonary circulation. The flow of blood is therefore excessive on the pulmonary side and there are very few factors
Hypertensive Patient Case Study Specific physical examinations in any hypertensive patient Accuracy in the measurement of blood pressure is the basic aspect of diagnosis. Therefore, we take it over several weeks. On each visit, normally at least three blood pressure readings are taken with the difference of 2 minutes using mercury manometer. Palpation of all peripheral pulses should necessarily be carried out. Absent, weak, or delayed femoral pulses are the sign of coarctation
These defects or conditions are categorized according to the problems, which develop. One problem is when too much blood passes through the lungs. Another is when too little passes through the lungs. A third is when too little blood circulates in the body. And a fourth is a combination of several heart defects, presenting as a complex problem. Pediatric cardiologists are the specialists treating babies with congenital heart problems