Coarctation of aorta is characterised by the following features
- Usually seen in male patient and they presents with headache, claudication, palpitation, anginal pain or cold extremities.
- The upper extremity and thorax may be more developed compared to lower extremities.
- Radiofemoral delay is present .
- All the peripheral pulses shoud be examined carefully
- Prominent suprasternal and carotid pulsations are present
- Collateral pulsation may be seen and felt over the axilla .trunk and infrascapular areas.This is clled as Suzmans sign and is best elicited with patient bending forwad with arms hanging by the side of the body
- Systemic hypertension.
- Bruit over the collaterals.
- Left ventricular type of cardiac enlargement and heaving apex is seen.
- A systolic murmur may be heard over the anterior chest and back.Continuous murmur is heard over the collaterals
- Bicuspid aortic valve
- Turners syndrome
- Berry aneurysm
- Polycystic kidney
