Diagnosis and surgical repair of congenital double aortic arch in infants.
OBJECTIVES
Double aortic arch (DAA) is a rare congenital vascular malformation. This study aims to summarize the experience of diagnosis and surgical treatment for congenital double aortic arch.


METHODS
The clinical data of 24 cases with double aortic arch (DAA) from January 2008 to January 2018 in our hospital was reviewed retrospectively.


RESULTS
A total of 24 cases, including 12 patients with isolated DAA and 12 patients with DAA and associated intracardiac defects were identified. There were 14 males and 10 females, with an average age of 11 months. The associated intracardiac malformations included ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defect (ASD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), transposition of the great arteries (TGA), pulmonary stenosis (PS), and patent foramen ovale (PFO). Of the 12 patients with DAA and intracardiac malformations, 7 patients underwent intracardiac repair simultaneously, however, 3 patients underwent isolated double aortic arch correction. One patient with DAA and TGA underwent surgical correction of congenital vascular ring at the first stage, and the arterial switch operation was performed at the second stage. The clinical outcomes of 23 patients were promising, however, in one patient, parents decided not to do the surgery due to personal reasons. The average follow-up time was 35 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Tracheal and esophageal compression are commonly seen in patients with DAA, however could be relieved significantly after surgery. In particular cases, the simultaneous intracardiac defects repair could be performed. Misdiagnosis was easily established with isolated echocardiography. Fortunately, the correct diagnosis of DAA and associated intracardiac defects could be established with the use of combined chest computed tomography.
['Yang|Yiting|Y|', 'Jin|Xin|X|', 'Pan|Zhengxia|Z|', 'Li|Yonggang|Y|', 'Wu|Chun|C|']
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic D004452:Echocardiography D005260:Female D006801:Humans D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional D007223:Infant D007231:Infant, Newborn D008297:Male D012189:Retrospective Studies D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed D016896:Treatment Outcome D000073872:Vascular Ring D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures
Double aortic arch Cardiac malformation Cardiac surgery Esophagus stenosis Tracheal stenosis Tracheal stenosis index