Incidental Finding of Hypertension and Diminished Femoral Pulses: Short-Segment Stenosis of the Aorta Just Distal to the Origin of the Left Subclavian Artery

Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital condition generally; and may vary from mild to severe. Symptomatology depends on early or late presentation. Young patients may present within the first few weeks of life with poor feeding; tachypnea and lethargy. They usually progress to overt congestive heart failure and shock. Older children may present with a murmur or hypertension. Diagnosis is often made after hypertension is detected as an incidental finding during evaluation of other problems; such as trauma or more common illnesses. Coarctation of the aorta can be cured surgically