Aortic coarctation in adults: the role of multimodality cardiac imaging. Series of case reports and review of literature

Abstract

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a relatively frequent congenital defect. Its natural evolution is marked by serious complications including aortic dissection, heart failure, coronary artery disease, infective endocarditis, or cerebral haemorrhages. Correction of CoA before complications arise is associated with a favorable long-term outcome. Timely diagnosis of CoA is therefore of utmost importance in the prognosis of these patients. Non-invasive imaging techniques, ranging from chest radiography to echocardiography, Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT), and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) have evolved to the extent where they can not only suggest but also precisely characterize the lesion and guide further management. We present a series of 3 case reports, highlighting the diagnostic approach and treatment for this pathology.

Keywords

• coarctation
• congenital
• defect
• multimodality
• cardiac imaging