Multimodality Imaging Approach in Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Aortic Coarctation in Adulthood

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Aortic coarctation (CoA) is a congenital heart defect affecting 5-8% of live births, characterized by aortic lumen narrowing.
• CoA can be linked to other congenital anomalies like bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and is a secondary cause of hypertension in adults under 40.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review non-invasive imaging modalities for diagnosing native aortic coarctation in adults.
• To provide guidance for clinicians and imaging specialists in selecting optimal imaging tools.

Main Methods:

• Review of non-invasive imaging techniques including ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Results:

• Multimodality imaging approaches enable accurate and effective diagnosis of aortic coarctation.
• Each imaging technique (ultrasound, CT, MRI) presents distinct advantages and disadvantages for CoA assessment.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis of aortic coarctation is crucial for patient management.
• A comprehensive understanding of imaging techniques aids in choosing the best diagnostic tools for adult patients with native CoA.