Statins and Endothelial Function in Patients With Coarctation of the Aorta

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) accounts for approximately 8% of all congenital heart problems. Patients with CoA are well known to have an increased rates of early heart disease, high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke. Abnormal arterial function (dilation and constriction of the blood vessels) has been observed in these patients and likely contributes to the increased risk of cardiovascular problems. However, therapies targeted at improving arterial function have not been investigated in this population. Statin therapy (cholesterol medicines like Lipitor) have been studied in other subgroups of patients with abnormal arterial function and has shown benefit in improving arterial function and reducing risk of cardiovascular problems. The investigators hypothesize that patients with CoA have abnormal arterial function leading to increased cardiovascular risk. We further hypothesize that statin therapy may improve this problem. We plan to compile a complete database of information regarding these patients cardiovascular health and propose to then examine the effect of atorvastatin (Lipitor) on arterial function as measured by changes in arm arterial function tests.