Coarctation of the Aorta in the Adolescent and Adult: Echocardiographic Evaluation Prior to and Following Surgical Repair

The combination of two‐dimensional and continuous‐wave (CW) Doppler echocardiographic imaging forms the cornerstone of diagnostic imaging in pre‐ or postoperative coarctation of the aorta. Because of the frequent association of other congenital heart defects, e.g., bicuspid aortic valve, a segmental imaging approach with multiple image planes should be used. CW Doppler examination from the suprasternal notch should be utilized to assess the degree of obstruction at the coarctation site in all patients. This enhances diagnostic sensitivity. CW Doppler examination can also be applied throughout exercise. Such application allows detection of relative degrees of aortic obstruction following surgical repair of coarctation that may only manifest at elevated levels of cardiac output, e.g., exercise. It aids in the identification of individuals with exercise related systolic hypertension following “successful” coarctectomy and provides a rationale for treatment with beta blockade. The methodology for applying this relatively new technique is discussed.