The key difference between aortic stenosis and coarctation of aorta is that aortic stenosis refers to the narrowing of the aortic valve, while coarctation of aorta refers to the narrowing of the aorta.
Atresia, coarctation and stenosis are three types of obstruction heart defects. In some cases, heart values are narrowed, blocked or missing. Stenosis refers to the narrowing of a valve or blood vessel. Coarctation refers to the narrowing of aorta. Therefore, both aortic stenosis and coarctation of aorta are two forms of aortic narrowing. Aortic coarctation occurs in the aortic arch, at or near the ductus arteriosis. Aortic stenosis occurs in the aortic root, at or near the aortic valve.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Aortic Stenosis
3. What is Coarctation of Aorta
4. Similarities Between Aortic Stenosis and Coarctation of Aorta
5. Side by Side Comparison – Aortic Stenosis vs Coarctation of Aorta in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Aortic Stenosis?
Stenosis refers to the narrowing of a valve or blood vessel. Aortic stenosis is a heart defect that involves the narrowing of the aortic valve. As a result, the aortic valve does not open properly. There is an obstruction of blood flow across the aortic valve. Then the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the aorta that carries blood throughout the body. Depending on the severity, the aortic valve can be repaired or replaced by surgery. Severe aortic stenosis can lead to death.
Symptoms associated with aortic stenosis are abnormal heart sound, chest pain, tightness with activity, feeling faint or dizzy, shortness of breath, fatigue and rapid, fluttering heartbeat. Aortic stenosis is most common in people who are over 65 years of age. This is due to the scarring and calcium build-up in the valve cusp. In young people, aortic stenosis occurs as a birth defect.
What is Coarctation of Aorta?
Aorta is the largest artery we have. It pumps oxygenated blood from our heart to the rest of the body. Coarctation of aorta is a condition that refers to the narrowing of the aorta. It is a congenital heart disorder. When the aorta is narrowed, the left ventricle of our heart must generate a much higher pressure than normal in order to force enough blood through the aorta to deliver blood to the lower part of the body. Therefore, our left ventricle has to work harder due to the coarctation of the aorta. If the narrowing is severe, our body parts will not get enough oxygen-rich blood for their functioning.
The narrowing can occur in any part of the aorta. However, the defect is most often located near a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus. The symptoms associated with coarctation of the aorta are breathing difficulties, poor appetite or trouble feeding, failure to thrive, problems with blood flow, an enlarged heart, dizziness or shortness of breath, fainting or near-fainting episodes, chest pain, abnormal tiredness or fatigue, headaches, and nosebleeds. Generally, coarctation of the aorta occurs together with other congenital heart defects. Moreover, this heart defect is more common in males than in females.
What are the Similarities Between Aortic Stenosis and Coarctation of Aorta?
- Aortic stenosis and coarctation of aorta are two types of heart defects.
- In both conditions, obstruction of blood flow takes place.
- There are both interventional and surgical options for both conditions.
What is the Difference Between Aortic Stenosis and Coarctation of Aorta?
Aortic stenosis occurs when the heart’s aortic valve narrows. Coarctation of aorta occurs when the aorta narrows. So, this is the key difference between aortic stenosis and coarctation of the aorta. Specifically, aortic stenosis occurs in the aortic root, while coarctation of aorta occurs near the ductus arteriosis.
Below is a summary of the difference between aortic stenosis and coarctation of aorta in tabular form.
Summary – Aortic Stenosis vs Coarctation of Aorta
Aortic stenosis refers to the narrowing of the aortic valve opening. It restricts the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. Aortic stenosis mainly affects older people. Coarctation of the aorta refers to the narrowing of the aorta. Due to this condition, the left ventricle of our heart must generate a much higher pressure than normal to pump blood throughout the body. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between aortic stenosis and coarctation of aorta.
Reference:
1. “Coarctation of the Aorta.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 20 June 2020, Available here.
2.“Aortic Stenosis Overview.” www.heart.org, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Blausen 0040 AorticStenosis” By BruceBlaus – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Blausen 0243 CoarctationofAorta CloseUp” By Blausen.com staff (2014).”Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014″WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia