Anomalous ascending aorta causing severe compression of the left bronchus in an infant with ventricular septal defect
Meng-Ju Li1, Ching-Chia Wang, Shye-Jye Chen
1Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Tracheobronchial compression by cardiovascular structures complicates the course after surgery of congenital heart disease. A 2-month-old boy with ventricular septal defect, pulmonary atresia, and velocardiofacial syndrome had severe left main bronchus obstruction due to external compression by an anomalously oriented ascending aorta. The patient's hypoxemic episodes necessitated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. We inserted a stent in the left bronchus to open the airway, but the stent was crushed by the anomalous aorta. We later surgically rerouted the aorta and finally restored the patency of the left main bronchus. However, the patient died of fungemia, without being weaned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. We conclude that surgery is necessary instead of stent implantation to relieve the external compression of the left bronchus from a vessel with systemic arterial pressure.
Related Concept Videos
Thoracic Aorta
Aortic Regurgitation I: Introduction
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
The Aorta
The average diameter of the aorta is approximately 2-3 cm, but the size can vary depending on the section of the aorta and the individual's age, sex, and body size. The aorta is...


