Anatomy of coarctation, hypoplastic and interrupted aortic arch: relevance to interventional/surgical treatment

The Management of Aortic Coarctation Associated with Hypoplastic Arches and Particular Arch Anatomies: A Literature Review

The surgical management of aortic coarctation in newborns needs to ensure postoperative evolution and long-term results as much as possible. Patients with a Gothic arch have a higher rate of postoperative hypertension, while newborns with a bovine arch have higher rates of restenosis and, thus, an additional risk of mortality. Late hypertension, even in anatomically successfully repaired patients, confers a high risk for cardiovascular events. This review of the literature focuses on the management of aortic coarctations associated with hypoplastic arch and particular arch anatomies, focusing on surgical techniques and their outcomes.

Management of adults with coarctation of aorta

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a relatively common congenital cardiac defect often causing few symptoms and therefore can be challenging to diagnose. The hallmark finding on physical examination is upper extremity hypertension, and for this reason, CoA should be considered in any young hypertensive patient, justifying measurement of lower extremity blood pressure at least once in these individuals. The presence of a significant pressure gradient between the arms and legs is highly suggestive of the diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are important as long-term data consistently demonstrate that patients with CoA have a reduced life expectancy and increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Surgical repair has traditionally been the mainstay of therapy for correction, although advances in endovascular technology with covered stents or stent grafts permit nonsurgical approaches for the management of older children and adults with native CoA and complications. Persistent hypertension and vascular dysfunction can lead to an increased risk of coronary disease, which, remains the greatest cause of long-term mortality. Thus, blood pressure control and periodic reassessment with transthoracic echocardiography and three-dimensional imaging (computed tomography or cardiac magnetic resonance) for should be performed regularly as cardiovascular complications may occur decades after the intervention.

Coarctation of the aorta in adolescents and adults: A review of clinical features and CT imaging

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA), while usually identified and treated in the neonatal/infant period, is increasingly seen in adults, either primarily or (more often) following repair. Imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis, therapeutic planning, and follow-up of patients with CoA. Clinical management of CoA in adults optimally involves a multidisciplinary team; accordingly, imagers should be familiar with the underlying pathology, associations, and management of CoA in addition to imaging protocoling and interpretation. We will review the relevant clinical and imaging features of CoA, with an emphasis on patients beyond childhood.

Unexpected neonatal death caused by interrupted aortic arch, an uncommon congenital great vessel malformation: An autopsy case report

A 21-day-old Japanese male infant became inactive and then collapsed unexpectedly. On autopsy, there was no connection between the ascending and descending thoracic aorta. The site of interruption was the aortic isthmus. The heart showed hypertrophy and exhibited intracardiac malformations, including subaortic valve stenosis resulting from posterior deviation of the ventricular outlet septum and ventricular septal defect. The cause of death was diagnosed as prolonged physiological closure of the ductus arteriosus complicated by interrupted aortic arch and followed by assumed ductal shock.

Some mice feature 5th pharyngeal arch arteries and double-lumen aortic arch malformations

A 5th pair of pharyngeal arch arteries (PAAs) has never been identified with certainty in mice. Murines in general are considered to not develop a 5th pair. If true, the significance of the mouse as a model for researching the genesis of malformations of the great intrathoracic arteries is limited. We aimed to investigate whether mouse embryos develop a 5th pair of PAAs and to identify malformations known to be caused by defective remodelling of the 5th PAAs. We employed the high-resolution episcopic microscopy method for creating digital volume data and three-dimensional (3D) computer models of the great intrathoracic arteries of 30 mouse embryos from days 12-12.5 post conception and 180 mouse fetuses from days 14.5 and 15.5 post conception. The 3D models of the fetuses were screened for the presence of a double-lumen aortic arch malformation. We identified such a malformation in 1 fetus. The 3D models of the embryos were analysed for the presence of 5th PAAs. Six of the 30 embryos (20%) showed a 5th PAA bilaterally, and an additional 9 (30%) showed a 5th PAA unilaterally. Our results prove that some mice do develop a 5th pair of PAAs. They also show that malformations which occur rarely in humans and result from defective remodelling of the left 5th PAA can be identified in mice as well. Thus, the mouse does represent an excellent model for researching the mechanisms driving PAA remodelling and the genesis of malformations of the great intrathoracic arteries.

Uncommon congenital and acquired aortic diseases: role of multidetector CT angiography

State-of-the-art multidetector computed tomographic (CT) technology has replaced invasive angiography for evaluation of patients suspected to have aortic disease. Although most aortic disease is associated with atherosclerosis (ie, aneurysms and dissection), the spectrum of aortic disease is vast and includes various congenital and acquired entities. Radiologists should also be familiar with uncommon aortic diseases, which are divided into those that are congenital in origin and acquired disorders, and with their findings at multidetector CT. The first group includes patent ductus arteriosus, aortic hypoplasia, aortic coarctation, interrupted aortic arch, aortopulmonary window, common arterial trunk, supravalvular aortic stenosis, and vascular rings. The acquired disorders include aortic dissection due to extension of a coronary artery dissection, Marfan syndrome, large-vessel vasculitis such as Takayasu arteritis, and mycotic aneurysms. Finally, specific conditions associated with therapeutic maneuvers--such as recoarctation, stent-graft rupture, and endoleaks--can also be assessed with multidetector CT. Multidetector CT is an alternative tool helpful in establishing the primary diagnosis, defining anatomic landmarks and their relationships, and identifying associated cardiovascular anomalies. It is also an adjunct in the evaluation of complications during follow-up.