#19 Aortic coarctation

A 25-year-old lady was referred to the local cardiology service after her GP found her to be hypertensive on an ambulatory blood pressure monitor and detected a murmur on auscultation.

The patient does not report any cardiovascular symptoms.

An echocardiogram is performed and an aortic coarctation is detected.

Question 1.

All of the following are typically associated with aortic coarctation except one.

Which one? A.

Ascending aortopathy B. Schoen complex C. Bicuspid aortic valve D. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy E. Parachute mitral valve Question 2 Which of the following investigations would be most important in guiding the decision for intervention on her coarctation? A.

Carotid Doppler Scan B.

Ambulatory Cardiac Rhythm Monitor C. Cardiac Catheterization D. Echocardiogram E. CT Intracranial Angiogram Question 3 Which of the following statements regarding aortic coarctation is the most accurate? A.

Patients must be hypertensive to be considered for intervention B.

An aortic narrowing of over 33% is considered significant C.

A peak-to-peak pressure gradient of greater than 20 mmHg is considered significant D.

In the absence of symptoms, invasive intervention is rarely indicated.

E.

Open surgery is the preferred method of repair.