Data from: The global effect of aortic coarctation on carotid and renal pulsatile hemodynamics

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital disease characterized by
the narrowing of the aorta, typically the descending portion after the
left subclavian artery. If left untreated, by the time individuals reach
50 years of age, the mortality rate can reach 90%. Previous studies have
highlighted the adverse effects of CoA on local hemodynamics. However, no
study has investigated the global hemodynamic effects of CoA in end-organ
(brain and kidney) damage. Clinical studies have shown that coarctation
acts as a reflection site, potentially damaging the hemodynamics of the
brain and kidneys. Our goal in this study is to investigate the underlying
mechanisms of these altered wave dynamics and their impacts on the
pulsatile hemodynamics of end-organs. In this study, we use a
physiologically accurate in-vitro experimental setup that simulates the
hemodynamics of systemic circulation. Experiments are conducted across
various cardiac outputs, heart rates, and coarctation degrees using aortas
across a wide range of aortic stiffnesses. Our principal finding is that
CoA increases cerebral blood flow and harmful pulsatile energy
transmission to the brain. Conversely, both renal blood flow and pulsatile
energy transmission to the kidneys are reduced in CoA at every level of
aortic stiffness.