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Interrupted aortic arch in an adolescent male
Vedat Davutoglu1, Serdar Soydinc, Akif Sirikci
1University of Gaziantep, School of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Sahinbey Medical Center, Gaziantep, Turkey. vedatdavutoglu@hotmail.com
The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
|November 27, 2004
Summary
Interrupted aortic arch (IAA), a rare congenital defect, was diagnosed in a 15-year-old boy with hypertension. Three-dimensional MRI effectively visualized the IAA and collateral circulation, highlighting its diagnostic value.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Pediatric Congenital Malformations
Background:
- Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare congenital heart defect, often lethal and typically diagnosed in infancy.
- Hypertension and nonspecific symptoms like malaise and leg weakness can be presenting signs in rare adolescent cases.
Observation:
- A 15-year-old male presented with a six-month history of malaise, leg weakness, headache, and hypertension.
- He also reported childhood-onset effort intolerance.
- A bicuspid aorta and an aneurysmal ascending aorta were noted in conjunction with IAA.
Findings:
- Three-dimensional gadolinium contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (3D-Gd-MRA) confirmed IAA.
- A markedly developed collateral circulation was visualized.
- The diagnostic utility of 3D-Gd-MRA in assessing aortic arch anomalies and collaterals was demonstrated.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering IAA in adolescents presenting with hypertension and nonspecific symptoms.
- 3D-Gd-MRA is a valuable noninvasive tool for diagnosing aortic arch anomalies, potentially replacing conventional angiography.
- Early diagnosis and advanced imaging are crucial for managing rare congenital cardiovascular malformations.