A case of congenital aortic atresia: With hypoplasia of ascending aorta, normal origin of coronary arteries, left ventricular hypoplasia and mitral stenosis

Abstract

The case reported here is the tenth showing aortic atresia associated with the usual combination of defects (mitral stenosis, left ventricular hypoplasia, stenosis of ascending aorta and arch, patent foramen ovale, right ventricular and pulmonary artery dilatation and hypertrophy, enlarged ductus arteriosus, and nonpatent interventricular septum). Six additional cases in the literature show grave congenital defects (absent septums; transposition of aorta) associated with aortic atresia, making this the sixteenth recorded case of congenital aortic valvular atresia. The probable course of the blood is suggested, especially for the coronary circulation. All cases which have been studied histologically indicate that there might possibly have been a prenatal inflammatory condition; the alternate theory of arrested development is also discussed. The size of the interatrial aperture or foramen ovale is shown to be a factor probably influencing the duration of life in cases of congenital aortic atresia.