Final answer:
Coarctation of the aorta is a medical term that refers to narrowing of the aorta. It is a congenital abnormality that can cause various symptoms. Treatment options include surgery and angioplasty.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coarctation of the aorta is a medical term meaning narrowing of the aorta, a major blood vessel. It is a congenital abnormality that usually occurs at the insertion of the ligamentum arteriosum, a remnant of the fetal shunt called the ductus arteriosus.
Common symptoms of coarctation of the aorta include difficulty breathing, poor appetite, trouble feeding, and failure to thrive in infants. In older individuals, symptoms may include dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, headache, and nosebleeds.
Treatment options for coarctation of the aorta include surgery to remove the narrowed section or angioplasty to open the narrowed passageway. Early surgical intervention has been shown to improve survival rates.