Coarctation of the Aorta

Surgery

The surgery used to repair coarctation of the aorta varies with the individual, depending on many factors, including the patient's overall health and preference; the size, location and severity of the coarctation, and the recommendation of the patient's medical team.

Open heart surgery

This type of surgery has been performed for more than 35 years. It utilizes a heart-lung bypass machine that delivers oxygen to the body while the coarctation is repaired. Read more about open-heart surgery.

Left thoracotomy with or without cardiopulmonary bypass

In this surgery, an aortic coarctation is repaired through an incision on the left side of the chest, between the ribs and below the armpit. Some thoracotomies require a heart-lung bypass machine to deliver oxygen to the body while the heart is stopped for repair of the coarctation. It may be possible to perform the surgery without using cardiac bypass, depending on the severity of the coarctation and the repair technique used. Read more about left thoracotomy.