Interrupted aortic arch diagnosis by computed tomography angiography and 3-D reconstruction: A case report

Novel interrupted aortic arch: A case report

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY

Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare and fatal malformation. Most patients with IAA are diagnosed in early childhood because of the severity of their symptoms. IAA is classified into three morphologic types (A, B, or C), depending on the site of the interruption. In our case, this patient did not have a common brachiocephalic trunk, left carotid artery, or left subclavian artery, IAA classification of this case cannot be judged based on the existing interruption method.

METHODS

We present a 6-year-old Chinese boy with a history of neck masses since birth, and an echocardiogram from a local county hospital revealing an IAA without any cardiac anomalies, was referred to our hospital.

RESULTS

The patient was feeling good and was nearly asymptomatic. Computed tomography angiography was performed, which indicated an absent aortic arch, likely due to disruption during development, and aortic discontinuity. The ascending aorta gave rise to both carotid arteries, and the descending aorta was supplied by large subclavian arteries. The right vertebral artery was supplied by right large collateral vessels that connected the right carotid artery. The left side was similar in structure to the right side. The descending aorta was supplied by large subclavian arteries. The subclavian arteries and carotid arteries were connected by large collateral vessels. Due to the large collateral vessels, the child's lower body had sufficient blood supplied, so that the typical differential cyanosis did not occur, and the child without symptomatic can survive to now.

CONCLUSIONS

This patient did not have a common brachiocephalic trunk, left carotid artery, or left subclavian artery. Maybe, this patient belonged to a new type of IAA.

Difference and similarity between type A interrupted aortic arch and aortic coarctation in adults: Two case reports

BACKGROUND

Aortic coarctation (CoA) is usually confused with interrupted aortic arch (IAA), especially adult type A interrupted aortic arch, due to their similar anatomical location. Although the main difference between them is whether arterial lumen exhibits continuity or not, the clinical manifestations are similar and connection exists between them. Adult type A IAA is considered as an extreme form of CoA, which is complete discontinuity of aortic function and lumen caused by degenerative arterial coarctation. This paper reports two cases (interrupted aortic arch and severe aortic coarctation) to analyze the difference and similarity between them.

CASE SUMMARY

The two cases of patients presented with hypertension for many years. Computed tomography angiography showed that the aortic arch and descending aorta were discontinuous or significantly narrowed with extensive collateral flow. The IAA patient refused surgical treatment and blood pressure could be controlled with drugs. While the CoA patient underwent stent implantation because of uncontrollable hypertension, the blood flow recovered smoothly and the blood pressures at both ends of the stenosis returned to normal after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Adult type A IAA and CoA have difference and similarity, and type A IAA is associated with CoA to a certain extent. The treatment method should be chosen based on the patient's clinical symptoms rather than the severity of the lesion.

Aortic dissection in a young male with isolated interrupted aortic arch: an unusual association

Interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) is a rare congenital anomaly which has been infrequently documented in the adult population. Aortic dissection (AD) is an emergency often presenting as acute chest pain and warranting urgent intervention. A 32-year-old male presented to Emergency Department with acute chest pain. Clinical examination revealed feeble pulses in bilateral lower limbs with a blood pressure difference between upper and lower limbs. Two-dimensional Echocardiography was suggestive of IAA with AD in the descending thoracic aorta. This was confirmed on computed tomography scan of the aorta which revealed complete interruption of the aortic arch distal to left subclavian artery along with the presence of an intimo-medial flap in descending thoracic aorta. A diagnosis of IAA with AD was made. The patient underwent an urgent aortic repair surgery following which he has been largely asymptomatic. A suspicion of AD should always be made in any patient presenting with acute onset chest pain radiating to the back along with accelerated hypertension/feeble pulses in extremity. Occurrence of AD in an adult with IAA is a distinct rarity and has been documented only thrice.