aorta, coarctation of the

aorta, coarctation of the

Congenital disorder involving narrowing of a short section of the aorta's arch over the heart. It causes a characteristic murmur, abnormally high blood pressure in the arms, and reduced blood flow to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. It increases the workload of the left ventricle, which usually becomes enlarged. Surgical reconstruction or replacement (depending on the person's age) of the narrowed area is most effective in the young.