[A case of aortic coarctation mimicking interrupted aorta]

Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2009 Mar;37(2):141-4.
[Article in Turkish]

Abstract

An asymptomatic, healthy, 19-year-old male patient was examined for aortic coarctation upon detection of a heart murmur and hypertension on routine physical examination. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed rupture of the sinus of Valsalva and bicuspid aortic valve. Findings of aortography and computed tomography (CT) angiography were compatible with an interrupted aorta. For further delineation, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed and color Doppler imaging showed passage at the site of the descending aorta, which was suggestive of interruption by other imaging methods. The patient underwent surgery for aortic coarctation. At surgery, severe aortic coarctation was noted and corrected. Although TTE is usually adequate for the diagnosis of aortic coarctation, even aortography and CT angiography were misleading in this particular case, and differentiation from interrupted aorta was only possible by TEE.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiography / methods
  • Aortic Coarctation / diagnosis*
  • Aortic Coarctation / surgery
  • Aortic Valve / abnormalities
  • Aortic Valve / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortography
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sinus of Valsalva / diagnostic imaging
  • Sinus of Valsalva / pathology
  • Young Adult