Aneurysm I: Introduction
The Aorta
Aortic Regurgitation I: Introduction
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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

A Minimally Invasive Model of Aortic Stenosis in Swine
Published on: October 20, 2023
F Hokenek1, K Sever, M Ugurlucan
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical Park Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
This report describes a rare case of a 21-year-old patient living with a type A interrupted aortic arch, a severe congenital heart defect that usually requires surgery in infancy. The patient successfully underwent a procedure to reconstruct the descending aorta.
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Area of Science:
Background:
Congenital cardiac defects often present with severe physiological consequences early in life. Interrupted aortic arch represents an exceptionally uncommon vascular malformation within this group of conditions. Standard medical practice dictates that surgical intervention must occur during infancy to prevent fatal outcomes. No prior work had resolved the clinical trajectory for individuals who survive into adulthood without early correction. That uncertainty drove interest in documenting rare cases of late-presenting vascular anomalies. Most existing literature focuses exclusively on pediatric cohorts due to the high mortality rate of untreated patients. Understanding the survival mechanisms in these rare adult cases remains a significant challenge for modern medicine. This gap motivated the current investigation into the management of such unusual anatomical presentations.
Purpose Of The Study:
The aim of this report is to document the successful treatment of a 21-year-old patient with a type A interrupted aortic arch. This study addresses the scarcity of information regarding adult patients living with this severe congenital anomaly. Most medical literature focuses on pediatric cases because untreated patients typically face fatal outcomes early in life. No prior work had resolved the specific surgical considerations for an adult presenting with this rare vascular discontinuity. The researchers sought to demonstrate that anatomical reconstruction remains a viable therapeutic option for older individuals. This investigation highlights the unusual survival trajectory of the patient despite the lack of neonatal intervention. The authors intend to expand the clinical knowledge base concerning late-stage management of this condition. This motivation drove the detailed presentation of the surgical procedure and the subsequent recovery.
Main Methods:
The clinical team employed a single-case study design to document the patient's presentation. They conducted a comprehensive review of the patient's medical history and current physiological status. Surgeons performed a direct anatomical reconstruction to resolve the vascular discontinuity. The approach focused on restoring normal blood flow patterns through the descending segment. Diagnostic imaging guided the planning of the corrective surgical intervention. The team monitored the patient throughout the perioperative period to ensure stability. This methodology emphasizes the practical application of standard cardiac surgical techniques in an unusual patient demographic. The investigators synthesized these observations to provide a clear account of the surgical process.
Main Results:
The primary finding confirms the successful anatomical reconstruction of the descending aorta in a 21-year-old patient. This individual presented with a type A interruption, which is a rare congenital anomaly. The surgical team achieved a positive outcome despite the patient reaching adulthood without prior intervention. The report provides evidence that such complex vascular defects can be corrected later in life. This case stands out because most patients with this condition do not survive past infancy without treatment. The successful repair demonstrates the feasibility of surgical management for this specific anatomical configuration. The patient's survival into the third decade of life is documented as an exceptional clinical event. These results offer a rare perspective on the long-term management of untreated aortic interruptions.
Conclusions:
The authors report a successful anatomical reconstruction for a young adult patient. This case demonstrates that surgical repair remains a viable option even after childhood. Survival into adulthood without early intervention is an extremely rare occurrence for this specific defect. The findings highlight the potential for corrective procedures in older patients with type A interruptions. Clinicians should consider anatomical reconstruction when managing rare adult presentations of this anomaly. The successful outcome provides evidence for the feasibility of late-stage surgical management. This report contributes to the limited body of knowledge regarding long-term survival with untreated aortic interruptions. The study underscores the importance of individualized surgical approaches for rare congenital vascular conditions.
The researchers performed an anatomical reconstruction of the descending aorta. This surgical intervention successfully addressed the type A interruption, allowing the 21-year-old patient to recover from the congenital defect.
The patient presented with a type A interrupted aortic arch. This specific classification indicates a complete discontinuity of the aortic arch occurring distal to the left subclavian artery.
Early surgical correction is typically required to prevent inevitable mortality in infancy. The patient in this report is unique because they survived to age 21 without undergoing the standard neonatal repair.
The report utilizes clinical data derived from a single-patient case study. This observational approach allows for the detailed documentation of rare anatomical presentations and the subsequent surgical outcomes.
The team measured the success of the intervention through the anatomical reconstruction of the descending aorta. This procedure effectively restored blood flow continuity in the patient.
The authors suggest that anatomical reconstruction is a feasible treatment strategy for adult patients. This implication challenges the traditional view that such defects are only manageable during early childhood.