Gold standard for the diagnosis of aortic coarctation

The gold standard for the diagnosis of aortic coarctation is magnetic resonance imaging of aortic coarctation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the entire aorta clearly shows the site of aortic coarctation, the degree of aortic coarctation, the aortic tear, and the presence or absence of progression. Magnetic resonance imaging, therefore, is the gold standard for diagnosing aortic coarctation. However, some hospitals do not have MRI conditions, CT examination of the aorta can be done, and it is better to do augmented CT examination of the aorta. After applying the contrast agent, the aorta can be clearly visualized and the size of the true and false lumen of the aortic coarctation can be shown, which is the second gold standard test after MRI. If neither of these tests is available, echocardiography can be performed. Echocardiography can detect, especially in the ascending aorta, the occurrence of entrapment in a relatively high location, which still has some significance. Intravascular ultrasound is also a screening tool, but intravascular ultrasound is invasive and not very commonly used.