title: Creating an arc-shaped aorta: use of the subclavian artery for interrupted aortic arch repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With interrupted aortic arch (IAA), a direct anastomosis may produce an angular-shaped aortic arch instead of the normal arc-shaped aorta, when the discontinuity is considerably long. That may lead to aortic stenosis and to compression of the pulmonary artery or the main bronchus. If a tube graft is used, reoperation for graft exchange is inevitable. We demonstrate the results of using the subclavian artery for creating an arc-shaped aorta in IAA repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February 2006 and October 2012, 23 patients underwent IAA repair using the subclavian artery. The subclavian artery was closed distally, divided, and longitudinally incised from the transected end to the aorta. This flap was used to bridge the gap of the IAA, by forming the posterior wall of a new aortic segment. The arch was completed using glutaraldehyde-fixed autologous pericardium (52%) or homograft (48%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median follow-up time was 4.8 years (range, 1.3 to 6.9). There were no early deaths and 1 late death. On postoperative angiographic imaging, the aorta takes an arc-shaped course in all cases. Aortic arch stenosis developed in 7 patients (30%). Four patients were treated interventionally, and 3 surgically. During follow-up, there was no compression of the pulmonary artery or the main bronchus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By using the subclavian artery, an arc-shaped aorta can be accomplished without the use of tube grafts. With this technique, compression of the pulmonary artery or the main bronchus can be avoided. This technique is recommended if a direct anastomosis might be not applicable to bridge a long interruption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: burri@dhm.mhn.de.
authors.forename: Melchior
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burri
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kasnar-Samprec
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cleuziou
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nöbauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Manfred O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany; DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Rüdiger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hörer
mesh_terms: D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000637:transplantation*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods