Coarctation of aorta

Utility of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of left ventricular thickening

Left ventricular (LV) thickening can be due to hypertrophy (concentric, asymmetric, eccentric) or remodelling (concentric or asymmetric). Pathological thickening may be caused by pressure overload, volume overload, infiltrative disorders, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, athlete's heart or neoplastic infiltration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in the comprehensive evaluation of LV thickening, including: establishing diagnosis, determining LV geometry, establishing aetiology, quantification, identifying prognostic factors, serial follow-up and treatment response. In this article, we review the aetiologies and pathophysiology of LV thickening, and demonstrate the comprehensive role of MRI in the evaluation of LV thickening.

TEACHING POINTS

• MRI plays an important role in the evaluation of LV thickening. • LV thickening can be due to either hypertrophy or remodelling. • Pathological thickening can be due to pressure/volume overload or infiltrative disorders.

Massive Gastrointestinal Bleed as Presentation for Previously Undiagnosed Coarctation of Aorta

BACKGROUND

Coarctation of the aorta is a common congenital heart lesion with a known complication of collateral vessel formation if left untreated.

OBJECTIVE

To alert pediatric emergency physicians of a rare and life-threatening presentation of previously undiagnosed congenital heart disease in the adolescent.

CASE

We discuss the case of a 15-year-old boy who presented with hypertension and massive upper GI bleed due to aortoenteric fistula formation associated with undiagnosed coarctation of the aorta. There are no other reports of a similar presentation in the literature.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in systemic hypertension

Systemic hypertension is a highly prevalent potentially modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of underlying causes for hypertension, in assessing cardiovascular complications of hypertension, and in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease process. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) provides accurate and reproducible measures of ventricular volumes, mass, function and haemodynamics as well as uniquely allowing tissue characterization of diffuse and focal fibrosis. In addition, CMR is well suited for exclusion of common secondary causes for hypertension. We review the current and emerging clinical and research applications of CMR in hypertension.

Integrated evaluation of hypertensive patients with cardiovascular magnetic resonance

BACKGROUND

Hypertension causes cardiac morbidity and premature mortality. Accurate evaluation to exclude potentially curable causes is important. Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (CMR/CE-MRA) provide an integrated approach to the assessment of hypertensive patients - a single study can identify certain secondary causes and assess left ventricular (LV) mass and function. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility of CMR/CE-MRA to define LV dimensions and exclude some secondary causes in a selected group of hypertensives.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifty-three hypertensives (46+/-17 years, 18 females) were prospectively studied (early onset hypertension, n=17; drug resistant hypertension, n=23; hypertension with increased creatinine at baseline/after ACEi, n=12; hypertension with peripheral vessel disease, n=1). Study protocol included assessment of LV and aorta, imaging of adrenals and 3D CE-MRA of aorta and renal arteries. Significant abnormalities were found in 13 patients (25%) - renal artery stenosis (n=8), aortic coarctation (n=4), adrenal mass (n=1). Mean LV mass index was increased compared with matched controls. LV systolic dysfunction was found in 9 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

CMR/CE-MRA provides comprehensive evaluation of hypertensive patients and could allow for a unique integrated approach with assessment of LV dimensions as well as detection of some secondary causes.

Coarctation of the Aorta: A Secondary Cause of Hypertension

Coarctation of the aorta is a constriction of the aorta located near the ligamentum arteriosum and the origins of the left subclavian artery. This condition may be associated with other congenital disease. The mean age of death for persons with this condition is 34 years if untreated, and is usually due to heart failure, aortic dissection or rupture, endocarditis, endarteritis, cerebral hemorrhage, ischemic heart disease, or concomitant aortic valve disease in uncomplicated cases. Symptoms may not be present in adults. Diminished and delayed pulses in the right femoral artery compared with the right radial or brachial artery are an important clue to the presence of a coarctation of the aorta, as are the presence of a systolic murmur over the anterior chest,bruits over the back, and visible notching of the posterior ribs on a chest x-ray. In many cases a diagnosis can be made with these findings. Two-dimensional echocardiography with Doppler interrogation is used to confirm the diagnosis. Surgical repair and percutaneous intervention are used to repair the coarctation; however, hypertension may not abate. Because late complications including recoarctation, hypertension, aortic aneurysm formation and rupture, sudden death, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and cerebrovascular accidents may occur, careful follow-up is required.