Anaesthesia for Coarctation of Aorta in Pregnancy - A challenge

Abstract

 
Coarctation of thoracic aorta is present in approximately 5-7% of patients with congenital heart disease. Coarctation of aorta (CoA) is usually characterised by a discrete narrowing of the aorta distal to the subclavian artery. Diagnosis is made during infancy or childhood in 80% of the cases and most of them survive into adulthood. Females with previously corrected coarctation of aorta may present with pregnancy. Uncorrected CoA may also present for the first time during pregnancy as hypertension. Pregnancy with heart disease presents unique challenges to the anaesthesiologist as well as to the obstetrician.
We report the successful management of a parturient with CoA undergoing lower segment Caesarian section.