Complications

Without treatment, coarctation of the aorta frequently leads to complications. In babies, it may lead to heart failure or death.

High blood pressure is the most common long-term complication of coarctation of the aorta. Blood pressure usually drops after the aortic coarctation has been repaired, but may still be higher than normal.

Other complications of coarctation of the aorta may include:

• A weakened or bulging artery in the brain (brain aneurysm) or bleeding in the brain (hemorrhage)
• Aortic rupture or tear (dissection)
• Enlargement in a section of the wall of the aorta (aneurysm)
• Heart failure
• Premature coronary artery disease — narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the heart
• Stroke

If the coarctation of the aorta is severe, your heart might not be able to pump enough blood to your other organs. This can cause heart damage and may lead to kidney failure or other organ failure.

Complications are also possible after treatment for coarctation of the aorta. They include:

• Aorta re-narrowing (re-coarctation, possibly years after treatment)
• High blood pressure
• Aortic aneurysm or rupture

You will need lifelong follow-up for coarctation of the aorta, and you may require additional treatments.