We discussed aortic coarctation in our previous post, found here. As you recall, aortic coarctation is a congenital defect and results in a permanent “kink”, or narrowing of the aorta.  This narrowing occurs just beyond the left subclavian artery (blood vessel to the left arm) and is usually found at birth or early infancy.  However, sometimes people can grow to adulthood without the defect being detected.  The aortic coarctation limits blood flow to the... Continue reading.

One of the interesting things about Aortic surgery and Aortic disease management is the interplay between specialist involved in the care of these patients.  Patients with aortic aneurysms or aortic dissections can come in contact with numerous specialists such as emergency room physicians, cardiologists, interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons and cardiovascular surgeons.  Not to mention, the important role that family practice and internal medicine physicians play in helping coordinate the care of patients.

There... Continue reading.

Aortic coarctation is a congenital disorder of the aorta, affects 5% to 8% of all patients with congenital heart disease and is the 7th most common congenital heart disease.  During embryologic development, the aorta develops from several primordial structures which coalesce into what we think of as a “normal” aorta.  However, sometimes that development process goes awry, resulting in a “kink” or narrowing (stenosis) in the aorta just beyond the left subclavian artery.

No one is expecting, moment-to-moment, to develop an acute Aortic dissection, but everyone who has experienced one knows exactly when it occurred.  Most patients with acute Aortic dissections describe a tearing, burning pain located in the front of their chest or in their back midway between the shoulder blades.  The intensity and suddenness of the pain usually brings people to their knees (or they pass out).  Unfortunately, may people who experience an acute Aortic... Continue reading.

Continuing on with the theme of acute Aortic dissections, let’s discuss in more detail the ramifications and consequences of blood simultaneously flowing in two separate, parallel channels within the Aorta.  The double barrel appearance (in cross section) of the aorta means that the physiologic pressure of the of a single channel of flowing blood in the normal Aorta becomes divided.  In fact, there becomes a pressure differential between the two channels.  One channel, the... Continue reading.