The value of chest x-ray in the diagnosis of aortic coarctation

Aortic coarctation is a form of generalized arteriopathy and is not limited to narrowing of the aorta. It can develop as a local stenosis, or as an extended one, in the form of hypoplasia of the aortic segment [1]. The symptoms and signs depend on the severity of the aortic coarctation. Patients with aortic coarctation who have reached adolescence live to an older age. In the second half of their life, they may develop complications associated with long-term hypertension [2]. Often, the identification of this rare adult malformation is associated with certain difficulties or is an accidental finding in a patient with arterial hypertension. According to modern clinical recommendations [1, 2, 4], the methods of diagnosis of aortic coarctation are physical examination (in particular, determination of the gradient of blood pressure on the arms and legs [5]), ECHO-KG, CT and MRI. CT and MRI are methods of clarifying diagnostics that allow to verify the defect and determine its morphological features. However, classical radiography in older patients with isolated aortic coarctation in the vast majority of cases has such characteristic signs that it allows you to suspect a defect from an overview image in a direct projection. The purpose of this report is to draw attention to the possibilities of classical X–ray examination in detecting aortic coarctation in adults. Classical X-ray examination is still the leader in the structure of radiation studies in the Russian Federation, it is performed frequently, therefore, knowledge of the X-ray semiotics of this rare congenital defect will contribute to its earlier detection.