Coarctation of the Aorta in the Elderly: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Coarctation of the thoracic aorta is a rare condition in the elderly population. Approximately 90% of untreated patients die by the age of 50. The complications of persistent coarctation include cerebrovascular accidents, congestive heart failure, intracranial aneurysms, endocarditis, aortic valve disease, myocardial infarction, aortic rupture, and aortic dissection. We report the case of a 62-year-old man who presented with complete aortic occlusion distal to the left subclavian artery. The effect of antihypertensive therapy on renal function in patients with coarctation is discussed, and the literature regarding elderly patients with coarctation of the aorta is reviewed.