Aortic coarctation risk factors


 * 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
Although the cause of aortic coarctation is not definitively known, certain factors have been associated with a potential risk increase. These include genetic anomalies, familial history, environmental factors, and neonatal care.

Risk Factors
Like many congenital heart disease, the cause of aortic coarctation is not clear. Clinical studies suggest that genetic and environmental factors both play an important role during pregnancy. These include:
 * Genetic disorders, such as Turner syndrome. As many as 10-25% of patients with Turner syndrome have an accompanying coarctation of the aorta.
 * Gender, more common in males than females (2:1 ratio)
 * Viral infections during pregnancy
 * Presence of another congenital heart disease, such as:
 * Ventricular septal defect
 * Patent ductus arteriosus
 * Mitral valve stenosis
 * Aortic valve stenosis
 * Bicuspid aortic valve