Final answer:
Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital narrowing of the aorta resulting in significant hemodynamic changes and is classified by its location relative to the ductus arteriosus. Surgical intervention is often required to correct the condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital condition where there is an abnormal narrowing of the aorta, typically near the ligamentum arteriosum, the remnant of the fetal ductus arteriosus. This narrowing can lead to significant hemodynamic changes. Infants with severe coarctation may present with difficulty breathing, poor appetite, and failure to thrive. Older individuals may experience symptoms like dizziness, fainting, and chest pain. The treatment requires surgical resection or angioplasty to correct the narrowing.
The classification is based on the location of the coarctation in relation to the ductus arteriosus, either juxtaductal, preductal, or postductal. Hemodynamically, the presence of coarctation increases the workload on the left ventricle due to higher resistance, leading to ventricular hypertrophy. Pressure proximal to the coarctation is elevated, which can lead to hypertension and increased risk of cerebral hemorrhage, while pressure distal to the obstruction is decreased, which may result in lower limb ischemia.