Atypical coarctation of

Authors: Professor Harald Kaemmerer1 and Doctor Alfred Hager Creation Date: January 2003

Scientific Editor: Professor Marie-Christine Seghaye

1Department of pediatric cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Lazarettstr. 36, 80636 München, Germany. [email protected]

Abstract Keywords Disease name and synonyms Definition Frequency Clinical presentation Etiology Diagnostic methods Treatment References

Abstract Atypical coarctation of aorta (CoA) is characterized by localized or extended narrowing of the ascending aorta, of the descending thoracic aorta at the level of the diaphragm, or of the abdominal aorta. Symptoms are attributed to upper body arterial and may include headache, , leg fatigue at exercise, cold feet and intermittent claudication. A pressure difference between arms and legs may exist as it is the case for the isthmic CoA. A systolic vascular murmur can be heard over the region of . This disease is often caused by an arteritis (Takayasu arteritis or aortitis) or a fibromuscular dysplasia. Some forms may be congenital. It can be associated with neurofibromatosis such as von Recklinghausen disease or Williams syndrome. This rare condition affects 0.5% to 2% of individuals with CoA. The symptomatic treatment consists of antihypertensive medication. The causal treatment is either percutaneous transluminal with or without endovascular stent placement or surgery.

Keywords Coarctation, aortic isthmus, atypical, ectopic, Takayasu arteritis, neurofibromatosis (Recklinghausen disease), Williams syndrome, rubella syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, .

Disease name and synonyms Atypical CoA is characterized by a localized or • Atypical coarctation of the aorta extended narrowing of the ascending aorta, of • Coarctation of the abdominal aorta the descending thoracic aorta at the level of the • Middle aortic syndrome diaphragm or of the abdominal aorta. • Mid-aortic dysplatic syndrome Coarctation of the descending thoracic aorta or of the abdominal aorta is also called "middle Definition aortic syndrome" or "mid-aortic dysplastic In coarctation of aorta (CoA), stenosis is syndrome". Major arterial branches and visceral characteristically located at the junction of the arteries (renal, superior mesenteric or hepatic distal aortic arch and the , arteries) may be involved. immediately beyond the origin of the left near the insertion of the Frequency ligamentum arteriosum. In rare circumstances, Atypical CoA is a rare condition, affecting 0.5% coarctation is located far from the aortic isthmus to 2% of individuals with CoA. and is called “atypical coarctation”.

Kaemmerer, H and Hager, A. Atypical coarctation of the aorta.Orphanet encyclopedia, January 2003. http://www.orpha.net/data/patho/GB/uk-ACoA.pdf 1

Clinical presentation abdominal aorta is associated with rubella Atypical CoA in various syndromes syndrome, tuberous sclerosis or Alagille In Takayasu arteritis, thoracic and abdominal syndrome. aorta is commonly involved. Granulomatous vasculitis can cause intima proliferation and Diagnostic methods consecutively aneurysm or stenosis of various ECG degrees or even the occlusion of the aorta and ECG may show left . its branches. High incidence of concomitant renal artery stenosis is reported, while celiac or Imaging superior mesenteric artery involvement is less Aortic narrowing can be shown and also often observed. quantified by magnetic resonance imaging, Williams syndrome is associated with computed tomography and aorto-/arteriography. supravalvular , localized or or abdominal sonography is extended narrowing of the ascending aorta generally of limited help due to restricted beyond the superior margin of the sinuses of accessibility. Valsalva. Supravalvular aortic stenosis becomes more apparent and progresses with age. Treatment Occasionally, Williams syndrome is associated The treatment of atypical CoA mainly depends with coarctation of the abdominal aorta and renal on its etiology. artery stenosis. Arterial hypertension may The symptomatic treatment consists of develop, secondary to progressive renal artery antihypertensive medication. The treatment of stenosis or to stiffness and thickness of the underlying arteritis, i.e. in Takayasu arteritis, arterial walls. consists of corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide or In neurofibromatosis type 1 (von Recklinghausen methotrexate. disease), atypical CoA is reported in the The causal treatment is either percutaneous descending thoracic and abdominal aorta. The transluminal angioplasty with or without renal arteries are rarely involved. Stenosis may endovascular stent placement or surgery. be attributed to the proliferation of Schwann cells Surgery comprises reconstruction of the aorta within the vessels wall. with resection of the stenotic segment, In all cases, the aortic narrowing may cause a interposition of grafts or aorto-aortic bypasses or pressure gradient across the stenosis and a enlargement with patches. consecutive pre-stenotic arterial hypertension The indication for the repair or treatment of and post-stenotic hypotension. Arterial flow in possible associated intracardiac (resection of the the visceral arteries distal to stenosis is reduced. supravalvular aortic stenosis in Williams Impaired renal perfusion results in renovascular syndrome) or vascular defects (revascularisation hypertension. Collateral arteries may originate of the visceral vascular tree) needs to be between the pre- and post-stenotic region. evaluated. Systematic follow-up for the detection of late M ain symptoms post-operative or post-interventional Depending on the etiology and degree of complications is strongly recommended. stenosis, atypical CoA may present in childhood but is often diagnosed in adolescents or adults. References Symptoms are attributed to upper body arterial Connolly JE, Wilson SE, Lawrence PL, Fujitani hypertension and may include headache, RM: Middle aortic syndrome: distal thoracic and abdominal angina, leg fatigue at exercise, cold abdominal coarctation, a disorder with multiple feet, and intermittent claudication. A pressure etiologies. J Am Coll Surg 2002;194:774-81. difference between arms and legs may exist as it Criado E; Izquierdo L; Lujan S; Puras E; del Mar is the case for the isthmic CoA. A systolic Espino M: Abdominal aortic coarctation, vascular murmur can be heard over the region of renovascular, hypertension, and stenosis. neurofibromatosis. Ann Vasc Surg 2002;16:363- 7. Etiology Neirotti RA; Malcolm DD; Sugiyama GT; Fosse Atypical CoA is often caused by an arteritis GR: Unusual form of coarctation of the distal (Takayasu arteritis or aortitis) or fibromuscular thoracic aorta. Ann Thorac Surg 2001;72:1395- dysplasia. Some forms may be congenital. The 6. disease can be associated with Shefler AG; Chan MK; Ostman-Smith I: Middle neurofibromatosis such as Von Recklinghausen aortic syndrome in a boy with arteriohepatic disease and Williams syndrome. Occasionally dysplasia (Alagille syndrome). Pediatr Cardiol atypical coarctation or hypoplasia of the 1997;18:232-4.

Kaemmerer, H and Hager, A. Atypical coarctation of the aorta.Orphanet encyclopedia, January 2003. http://www.orpha.net/data/patho/GB/uk-ACoA.pdf 2