There are several operations to correct Coarctation of the Aorta depending on the severity and the extent of the narrowing.

End-to-End Anastomosis Operation
If the narrowing is very small (discrete area) the narrowed area may be excised and the distal part of the aorta (the part going down to the legs) may be pulled up and sutured to the area (before the narrowing). This operation is shown above.

Gore-Tex Patch
If the narrowed area is long and underdeveloped the doctors may need to reinforce that area by utilizing a material called Gore-Tex.

Interrupted Aortic Arch
Sometimes the narrowing at the aorta is so severe that the arch is virtually interrupted (there is no flow between the proximal and distal parts of the aorta) and the blood flow to your child's lower body is maintained by the help of the Ductus Arteriosus. The Ductus Arteriosus is a vessel, which is present before birth that enables the right side of the heart to supply the aorta.

This Ductus Arteriosus normally closes spontaneously after birth, but if this ductus closes in a baby that has Interrupted Aortic Arch he may develop severe shock.

Interrupted Aortic Arch
Doctors therefore will start the baby on a medication called Prostaglandin to keep the ductus open until surgery can be performed to fix the problem.

A child born with Interrupted Aortic Arch may appear normal initially, but when the ductus arteriosus closes he may develop cold feet, legs, and may turn pale and develop shock. This condition requires immediate surgery.