Acquired atheromatous coarctation of the aortic arch

A 58-year-old woman with a past medical history significant for tobacco use presented with shortness of breath. Physical examination revealed a 30 mm Hg difference in upper-extremity blood pressures (right arm greater than left), elevated jugular venous pressure, and leg edema. A two-dimensional echocardiogram revealed an ejection fraction of 20%. During angiography a heavily calcified lesion was noted in the aortic arch, across which a significant gradient was measured. Computed tomographic scanning identified a focal calcified area in the aortic arch and diffuse atherosclerosis elsewhere. Acquired thromboatheromatous coarctation of the aorta is an uncommon entity found in patients who smoke and are hypertensive. It is almost always seen in conjunction with severe peripheral vascular disease, which this patient had. She was started on heart failure therapy and referred for surgical repair.