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Published on: April 15, 2021
Aortic coarctation complicated with multiple saccular aortic aneurysms
Cihan Cevik1, Orhan Elonu, Kenneth Nugent
1Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA. cihan.cevik@ttuhsc.edu
Insights
Untreated aortic coarctation can lead to severe aortic arch aneurysms. Early diagnosis and surgical correction are crucial for preventing cardiovascular complications and death.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Aortic coarctation is a congenital heart defect requiring early intervention.
- Untreated cases can progress to systemic hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
- The natural history involves significant morbidity and mortality if uncorrected.
Observation:
- This case highlights a rare complication of untreated aortic coarctation.
- The aortic arch and its branches were replaced by tortuous, multilobulated aneurysms.
- This severe vascular remodeling occurred in the absence of timely surgical correction.
Findings:
- The extensive aneurysm formation demonstrates the progressive nature of untreated aortic coarctation.
- The case illustrates a severe end-stage manifestation of the disease.
- Diagnostic and therapeutic delays can lead to catastrophic vascular changes.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the critical importance of early diagnosis and treatment of aortic coarctation.
- Highlights the potential for severe aortic pathology in neglected cases.
- Underscores the need for lifelong monitoring of patients with congenital heart defects.
Abstract:
Aortic coarctation is a congenital malformation of the aorta that should be diagnosed and corrected early in life. The natural history of unrepaired coarctation of the aorta includes the development of systemic hypertension and subsequent morbidity and death from cardiovascular disease. Here, we present a case with replacement of the aortic arch and its branches by tortuous multilobulated aneurysms as a result of untreated aortic coarctation.
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