Aortic Arch Abnormalities

Abstract

Aortic abnormalities are being diagnosed more frequently during fetal life due to the incorporation of views of the upper mediastinum into screening views of the fetal heart. Morbidity and mortality is reduced when duct-dependent lesions such as coarctation of the aorta are prenatally diagnosed and lesions such as double aortic arch and right aortic arch are of clinical significance because they can cause airway compression. Abnormalities of the aortic arch and an aberrant right subclavian artery can be associated with chromosomal abnormalities. All aortic arch abnormalities can be associated with intracardiac abnormalities so assessment of the intracardiac anatomy is mandatory. This chapter however focuses on isolated abnormalities of the aortic arch and its branches.