Coarctation of the aorta
Normotensive patients with repaired coarctation and no aneurysm or residual coarctation tolerate
pregnancy well, and they are at a low risk of dissection. MRI scan of the aorta should be performed as
part of pre-pregnancy assessment [18,19].
Coarctation may not be detected until adulthood e sometimes during pregnancy; the diagnosis
should be considered in any young hypertensive adult. Confirmation in the pregnant patient is with
echo and MRI. Antenatal and delivery management needs to be individualised, and care should be in a
centre with a specialist obstetric and congenital cardiology expertise.