Medical Encyclopedia

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

Double aortic arch

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Double aortic arch
Double aortic arch

Alternative Names    Return to top

Aortic arch anomaly; Double arch

Definition    Return to top

Double aortic arch is an abnormal formation of the aorta—the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It is a congenital problem, which means that it is present at birth.

See also: Vascular ring

Causes    Return to top

Double aortic arch is one of the most common types of vascular ring—a group of defects that affect the development of the baby’s aorta in the womb.

Normally, the aorta develops from one of several curved pieces of tissue (arches). In babies with this condition, it splits into several parts that go around the windpipe (trachea) and esophagus (tube that goes from the mouth to the stomach). The parts come together again in front of the spine.

As the baby grows in the womb, the body breaks down some of the arches, while others form into arteries. With vascular ring, some of the arches that should have changed into arteries or disappeared are still present at birth.

Babies with a double aortic arch have an aorta that is made up of two vessels instead of one. The two parts to the aorta have smaller arteries branching off of them. As a result, the two branches go around and press down on the windpipe and the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus).

The right arch is bigger in most people with double aortic arch.

A double aortic arch may be seen in people with:

Double aortic arch is very rare. Vascular rings make up just a few of all congenital heart problems. Of these, a little more than half are double aortic arch. The condition occurs just as often in males as in females.

Symptoms    Return to top

Because symptoms of double aortic arch are often mild, the problem may not be discovered until the child is a few years old.

Pressure from the aortic arch on the windpipe (trachea) and esophagus can lead to trouble breathing and swallowing. How severe the symptoms are depends on how much the aortic arch is pressing down on these structures.

Breathing symptoms include:

Digestive symptoms are rare, but may include:

Exams and Tests    Return to top

A doctor will usually diagnose double aortic arch while the child is still an infant. However, the doctor may not notice any signs during a physical exam.

The following tests can help diagnose double aortic arch:

Treatment    Return to top

Surgery can be done to fix double aortic arch. The surgery separates off the smaller branch of the double aortic arch to relieve pressure on the esophagus and windpipe (trachea).

The surgeon ties off the smaller branch and separates it from the larger branch. Then the surgeon closes the ends of the aorta with stitches.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Surgery can treat double aortic arch. Most children feel better right after surgery, although some may continue to have breathing symptoms.

In rare cases, if the arch is pressing down very hard on the airway, the child can die.

Possible Complications    Return to top

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call your health care provider if your infant has symptoms of double aortic arch.

Prevention    Return to top

There is no known way to prevent this condition.

References    Return to top

Park MK. Park: Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby; 2008.

Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, Jenson HB. Behrman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2004.

Townsend Jr. CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL. Townsend: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2008.

Update Date: 2/29/2008

Updated by: Mark A Fogel, MD, FACC, FAAP, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Radiology and Director of Cardiac MR, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

A.D.A.M. Logo

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2009, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.