Which heart condition is characterized by a narrowing of the aorta, typically just after the left subclavian artery?

Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital heart condition where there is a narrowing of the aorta, most commonly occurring just distal to the left subclavian artery. This narrowing can lead to significant complications because it increases the pressure in the section of the aorta proximal to the coarctation while reducing blood flow to the areas supplied by the segment distal to the narrowing.

Clinical manifestations can vary, but they may include hypertension in the upper body and hypotension in the lower body, as well as signs of heart failure in severe cases. The diagnosis is typically made through physical examination, where discrepancies in blood pressures between the upper and lower extremities can be noted, and confirmed with imaging techniques like echocardiography or MRI.

Understanding this condition is crucial for managing pediatric patients effectively, as timely diagnosis and intervention can significantly impact long-term outcomes. Other conditions like patent ductus arteriosus, aortic stenosis, and ventricular septal defect have different anatomical and physiological implications; hence they do not involve the specific narrowing of the aorta characteristic of coarctation.