[Diagnosis and tactics in the surgical treatment of double aortic arch]

Within the period of from 1978 to 1989, in 19 patients staying in the clinic, a double aortic arch (DAA) was diagnosed by means of roentgenologic investigation, esophagography, angiography. In comparison of the findings of esophagography and angiography, in 2 patients, atresia, of the left arch segment was revealed, in 9 patients, a double arch was associated with Fallot's tetrad (FT), in 4--with the interventricular septum defect (IVSD). All the patients were operated on. In 6 patients with isolated DAA, the lesser arch was transected: in 5--the left, in 1--the right one. In 13 patients with associated DAA and congenital heart defect (CHD), the simultaneous DAA transection and a palliative operation (in 9), or a radical correction of CHD (in 4) were performed. Two patients with FT 3 years later, underwent the second stage successful radical correction of a defect. A long-term result of treatment is good.