What Coarctation of the Aorta is and how it happens?

What it is:

Coarctation of the Aorta is the congenital heart condition where there is an abnormal narrowing of the aorta. In my previous post I called it Aortic Coarctation, but according to the ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision) the official name is Coarctation of the Aorta. Coarctation is located in the aorta right after the arteries leave the heart. There are three different types Preductal coarctation, Ductal coarctation, and Postductal coarctation. The different types are classified on where the narrowing is located in relation to the ductus arteriosus (ligamentum arteriosum). I haven't asked the doctor which one it is, but I'm guessing it is postductal.

Coarctation of the aorta has been linked to other heart problems such as: Bicuspid aortic valve, Ventricular septal defect, Patent ductus arteriosus, Aortic valve stenosis, Mitral valve stenosis, and Turner syndrome.

When and how it happens:

While the fetus is developing in the womb, the Ductus arteriosus (DA) appears as a shunt connecting the Pulmonary artery to the aorta. This is to help the lungs and strengthens the right ventricle. After birth the shunt normally closes with in a week. The shunt, or blood vessel, has tissue in it that allows itself to close when the baby takes it's first breath. This tissue could be the very thing extending into the aorta and causing it to narrow when it contracts.

Aortic coarctation claims my son!

It seems like once you get a certain grip on life, life fires back a curveball when you least expect it! Living in California has been a blessing and a hassel. My wife and I have both enjoyed the weather and people here. The cost of living is really difficult to keep up with, and with loosing my job last September didn't make things any better. Things started to look up for us when I landed a contract position for the company who laid me off. Then about a month ago we found out that my youngest son, Daniel, had Aortic coarctation, or Coarctation of the aorta.

People have told us how lucky it was that we caught it so soon, and by accident. I would have to agree with them. One night the family was finishing their dinner and decided to take pictures of everyone up close. When I got to Daniel I noticed his uvula was split! I had never heard of this before and thought it was the coolest thing ever! After much research Liesl and I found out that split uvulas had been linked to Loeys-Dietz-syndrome, which can lead to death if not caught in time.

Well, we took him to a cardiologist, and he was not diagnosed with Loeys-Dietz-syndrome but with Aortic coarctation. This means that Daniel will need to have open heart surgery. Although the actual manner in which the surgeon will fix his condition is uncertain at this point. The biggest question is when the time will be right to do the surgery. Daniel is only two years old! I think the doctor wants to wait a little longer, so in about six months we will be taking him back for a checkup. I figure anyone with small children would be interested to follow this blog, because I will be posting updates in Daniel's condition, and in the research performed.