Long-term survival in preductal atresia of the aortic arch.
Atresia of the aortic arch is distinguished from complete interruption of the aorta by the presence of a fibrotic strand bridging the 2 discontinuous segments of aorta. Most patients with aortic arch atresia have associated intracardiac defects. There is a high neonatal mortality in this condition, with 95% of the patients dying in the first year of life. The case described herein is the first long-term survivor with atresia of the aortic arch, a patent ductus arteriosus, and an atrial septal defect to reach adulthood. In this patient an extensive collateral network existed in spite of the presence of a patent ductus arteriosus.
D000328:Adult; D001011:Aorta / Q000002:abnormalities*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000145:classification; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male