J Korean Pediatr Soc.  1996 May;39(5):727-731.

An Autopsy Case of Double Aortic Arch

• Kim JS
• Jo YM
• Ko KH
• Kim ER
• Chi JG

Abstract

Double aortic arch is the most common type of symptomatic vascular ring. In most patients, the symptoms are manifested at birth or in early infancy. Double aortic arch usually has more severe symptoms than other types of complete vascular rings. We experienced one case of complete duplicated double aortic arch with left descending aorta and left patent ductus arteriosus. A one-day-old female neonate was transferred to our hospital because of mild dyspnea and stridor. She showed intractable CO2 retention and respiratory difficulty with time in spite of ventilator therapy. She died of respiratory failure 23 hours after birth. On autopsy, we found that the diameter of the vascular ring was 0.7cm in maximum extent. It was ovoid and contained trachea and esophagus. The trachea was flattened due to allowing 0.1x0.2cm. The compression level of the trachea was approximately 1cm from the tracheal bifurcation.

Keyword

Double aortic arch; Congenital heart disease; Respiratory distress

MeSH Terms

Aorta, Thoracic*
Autopsy*
Ductus Arteriosus, Patent
Dyspnea
Esophagus
Female
Heart Defects, Congenital
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Parturition
Respiratory Insufficiency
Respiratory Sounds
Trachea
Ventilators, Mechanical