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Aortic arch anomalies

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [[2]], Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3], Keri Shafer, M.D. [4]; Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [[5]]

Overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2] Keri Shafer, M.D. [3] Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [[4]]

Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [[5]]

Overview

The frequency of congenital aortic arch abnormalities is less than 1% of congenital cardiovascular defects.

References

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Pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2] Keri Shafer, M.D. [3] Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [[4]]

Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [[5]]

Overview

Pathophysiology

Vascular rings encircle the trachea and esophagus, which results in variable degrees of compression of both structures. Compression of the trachea causes upper airway obstruction that impairs airflow. The extent of airway compression is variable. Double aortic arch is more often associated airway compression and is also associated with more severe airway compression than other forms of vascular ring.

Gross Pathology

Genetics

Double Aortic Arch

Double aortic arch is associated with a chromosome band 22q11 deletion in approximately 20% of patients. Double aortic arch may be associated with band 22q11 deletion, which has various other possible manifestations. These include, but are not limited to, palatal abnormalities, laryngotracheal anomalies, speech and learning delay, characteristic facial features, hypocalcemia, abnormalities of T-cell–mediated immune function, and neurologic defects.

References

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Epidemiology and demographics

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References

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Natural history, Complications, and Prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2] Keri Shafer, M.D. [3] Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [[4]]

Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [[5]]

Natural History

Aortic arch anomalies may be associated with the following:

  1. Association with VACTERL: (vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheal, esophageal, renal, and limb) or CHARGE (posterior coloboma, heart defect, choanal atresia, retardation, genital, and ear) associations.
  2. Esophageal atresia
  3. Congenital laryngeal web

Complications

Prognosis

References

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Causes

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References

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Classifications of Aortic arch anomalies

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2] Keri Shafer, M.D. [3] Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [[4]]

Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [[5]]

Overview

Classifications

There are three common classifications to the branching pattern: [1]

  1. Normal (as below) – seen in ~ 70% of patients.
  2. Bovine arch – common origin of brachiocephalic and left common carotid artery – seen in approximately 15% of patients (more common in blacks)
  3. Left common carotid has its origin from the brachiocephalic artery proper, rather than from a common trunk – – seen in approximately 10% of patients (also more common in blacks)

There may be additional branches that arise directly from the arch. These include:

  • Thyroidea ima artery, usually between the brachiocephalic and left common carotid
  • Left vertebral artery, usually between the left common carotid and the left subclavian arteries.
  • Rarely the right subclavian and right common carotid arise independently.

Other major classifications:

References

  1. K.F. Layton “Bovine Aortic Arch Variant in Humans: Clarification of a Common Misnomer” AJNR 27: August 2006, 1541-42

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Differentiating Aortic arch anomalies from other Disorders

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References

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Diagnosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Tests | Electrocardiogram | Chest X Ray | MRI | CT | Echocardiography | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Treatment

Medical: Medical Therapy

Surgical: Surgery

Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

External Links

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