Aortic coarctation causes


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S.[mailto:psingh@perfuse.org], ; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S.[mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

Overview
Like many congenital heart diseases, the cause of aortic coarctation is not clear. The etiology of coarctation of the aorta may be explained by multifactorial inheritance hypothesis. Clinical studies suggest that genetic, familial influence and environmental factors both play an important role during pregnancy. It has been found to be associated more with patients with turner syndrome. Additional research suggests a possible link between other congenital heart diseases and an aortic coarctation, indicating that those with congenital heart disease are more likely to have an accompanying secondary defect.

Causes

 * The etiology of coarctation of the aorta may be explained by multifactorial inheritance hypothesis.
 * Aortic coarctation is more common in persons with certain genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome.
 * It can also be due to birth defects of the aortic valves. Aortic coarctation is one of the more common heart conditions that are present at birth (congenital heart conditions). It is usually diagnosed in children or adults under age 40. Coarctation of the aorta may be seen with other congenital heart defects, such as: bicuspid aortic valve, defects in which only one ventricle is present, ventricular septal defect
 * It has been found to have increased incidences in some families.