An interrupted aortic arch is a rare heart defect. The aortic arch is part of the major blood vessel that helps move blood from the heart to the rest of the body. With this defect, the aortic arch is interrupted or incomplete. Blood cannot flow through it normally. This makes blood flow to the body less efficient. If a child has this defect, he may also have a hole in the wall between the right and left chambers (ventricles) in the heart.
Heart Chambers and Valves
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Blood Flow Through the Heart
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A direct cause is not known. The defect develops in the fifth to seventh week of fetal growth. The child is born with the condition.
Your child may be at increased risk for this condition if he has DiGeorge syndrome . This is a chromosomal abnormality.
Symptoms typically appear within the first day or two after birth. Many times, the baby will show symptoms soon after birth. Tell your doctor if you notice the following in your infant or child:
This condition can lead to shock and congestive heart failure . Your child will need emergency care.
During the exam, the doctor may detect:
These symptoms may be due to other conditions.
The doctor will:
Tests may include:
Talk with the doctor about the best treatment plan for your child. Treatment options include:
Medicines, like Prostaglandin E1, may be given to keep some blood flowing through another blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus. This allows some blood to get around the interruption in the aorta. This is a temporary treatment.
Other medicines may be given to:
Surgery is needed to correct the defect. Surgery aims to form a connection between the two parts of the aortic arch. The hole in the heart between the ventricles is also closed. The ductus arteriosus is then closed.
Your child will need to see a heart specialist regularly.
RESOURCES:
American Family Physician
http://www.aafp.org/
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
http://www.ccs.ca/
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/splash/
References:
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Interrupted aortic arch. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center website. Available at: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/heart-encyclopedia/anomalies/iaa.htm . Updated July 2009. Accessed July 14, 2010.
Johns Hopkins University, Cove Point Foundation. Interrupted aortic arch. Johns Hopkins University, Cove Point Foundation website. Available at: http://www.pted.org/?id=interruptedarch3 . Updated April 3, 2009. Accessed July 14, 2010.
Last reviewed September 2012 by Michael Woods, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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