Case Report: Secondary Hypertension Associated with Aortic Coarctation in a 21-year-old Female Patient

Abstract

Coarctation of aorta is a congenital vascular malformation which occurs as a discrete stenosis or as a long, hypoplastic aortic segment. It accounts for 5-8% of all congenital heart defects. In most cases it is diagnosed during infancy and childhood, while adult cases with aortic coarctation are rare. Clinical findings depend on the severity of the vascular lesion. Hypertension can be the only manifestation present and it may not become evident until adulthood.In this case report, we present the diagnosis of aortic coarctation in a 21-year-old female patient detected during the evaluation of hypertension. Transthoracic echocardiography findings revealed a coarctation of descendent aorta with dimension of 5mm and a mean systolic gradient of 60mmHg, which was confirmed by CT angiography of aorta. It was managed by percutaneous balloon angioplasty with stent placement.Although rare in adults, coarctation of aorta should be considered in differential diagnosis of secondary hypertension. Delayed diagnosis and management of aortic coarctation is associated with increased risk of serious cardiovascular complications and a high mortality rate.