Ductus arteriosus sling: report of a newly recognised anomaly and its surgical correction

Surgical exploration of a 7-week-old infant with a diagnosis of 'pulmonary artery sling' (left pulmonary artery arising from the right) revealed the true nature of the abnormality to be persistence of the ductus arteriosus which connected the right pulmonary artery to the aortic isthmus. This malformation has not been described previously. It has the same symptomatology as 'pulmonary artery sling' and it may be treated by surgical ligation and division. We suggest the term 'ductus arteriosus sling' to describe this rare congenital anomaly.