Doctors can treat this condition with cardiac catheterization to open the narrow spot in the aorta (balloon angioplasty) or with surgery to remove that segment of the aorta. The treatment plan depends on how severe the coarctation is and if there are other birth defects.
Coarctation of the Aorta Treatment Options
Catheterization
Some children can have their narrow aorta opened using catheterization instead of surgery. This method involves inserting a small tube through an artery or vein and threading it up to the narrowed area. Then there are two options:
- A balloon can be inserted through the tube. When the balloon is inflated, the aorta is stretched open. Then, the balloon is removed. This is called balloon dilation.
- A stent can be placed at the narrow spot. A stent is a tube-shaped device that can be left inside a blood vessel to hold it open.
Surgery
These are the options for surgery:
- Making a cut in the narrow spot to widen it and sealing it with an artificial patch or a patch taken from an artery in the child’s arm
- Cutting above and below the narrow spot, removing it and joining the loose ends of the aorta together
- Using a tube to connect the aorta above and below the narrow spot
Medicine
Your child may also need medicines to treat problems related to their narrow aorta. These medicines may be used to improve the force of their heartbeat or control their blood pressure.