Coarctation of the Aorta
(From the Cardiovascular Dynamics DBP led by Charles A. Taylor, Ph.D. and Christopher K Zarins, M.D.)
Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) is characterized by a severe stenosis of the proximal descending thoracic aorta and accounts for 8-11% of congenital heart defects. Despite surgical or catheter-based treatments such as stent implantation, morbidity (hypertension, aneurysms, stroke) persists and may be attributed to abnormal hemodynamics in the aorta and its branches.
We have used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to reproduce hemodynamic waveforms, blood pressure, and vascular deformation in agreement with clinical observations of a patient with severe CoA. These results may ultimately provide insight into sources of morbidity and offer quantitative assessment of treatment options such as stent implantation.
Figure: Blood pressure and velocity of a 13 year-old patient with severe CoA (90% reduction in cross-sectional area).