En Español (Spanish Version)

by Neff DM

Interrupted Aortic Arch—Child

Definition

An interrupted aortic arch is a rare heart defect. The aortic arch is part of the major blood vessel that helps move blood from the heart to the rest of the body. With this defect, the aortic arch is interrupted or incomplete. Blood cannot flow through it normally. This makes blood flow to the body less efficient. If a child has this defect, he may also have a hole in the wall between the right and left chambers (ventricles) in the heart.
Heart Chambers and Valves
heart anatomy
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
Blood Flow Through the Heart
IMAGE
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

A direct cause is not known. The defect develops in the fifth to seventh week of fetal growth. The child is born with the condition.

Risk Factors

Your child may be at increased risk for this condition if he has DiGeorge syndrome . This is a chromosomal abnormality.

Symptoms

Symptoms typically appear within the first day or two after birth. Many times, the baby will show symptoms soon after birth. Tell your doctor if you notice the following in your infant or child:
  • Weakness
  • Poor feeding
  • Rapid breathing
  • Pale or cool skin
  • Decreased urine output
This condition can lead to shock and congestive heart failure . Your child will need emergency care.
During the exam, the doctor may detect:
  • Fast heart rate
  • Weak pulse
  • Low oxygen levels
These symptoms may be due to other conditions.

Diagnosis

The doctor will:
  • Ask about your child’s symptoms and medical history
  • Do a physical exam
Tests may include:
  • Echocardiogram —a test that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to examine the size, shape, and motion of the heart
  • Chest x-ray —imaging test that uses low amounts of radiation to get a picture of the chest
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)—a test that records the heart’s activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle
  • MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
  • CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body

Treatment

Talk with the doctor about the best treatment plan for your child. Treatment options include:

Medications

Medicines, like Prostaglandin E1, may be given to keep some blood flowing through another blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus. This allows some blood to get around the interruption in the aorta. This is a temporary treatment.
Other medicines may be given to:
  • Help the heart beat stronger
  • Get rid of extra fluid in the body

Surgery

Surgery is needed to correct the defect. Surgery aims to form a connection between the two parts of the aortic arch. The hole in the heart between the ventricles is also closed. The ductus arteriosus is then closed.

Lifelong Monitoring

Your child will need to see a heart specialist regularly.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent this condition. Getting appropriate prenatal care is always important.

RESOURCES

American Family Physician http://www.aafp.org/

American Heart Association http://www.americanheart.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Cardiovascular Society http://www.ccs.ca/

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/splash/

References

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Interrupted aortic arch. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center website. Available at: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/heart-encyclopedia/anomalies/iaa.htm . Updated July 2009. Accessed July 14, 2010.

Johns Hopkins University, Cove Point Foundation. Interrupted aortic arch. Johns Hopkins University, Cove Point Foundation website. Available at: http://www.pted.org/?id=interruptedarch3 . Updated April 3, 2009. Accessed July 14, 2010.

Revision Information

Health Library Search

Only show results from the selected categories.
1 Arteriovenous Malformations condition

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the brain and spinal cord are tangles of abnormal blood vessels. They can form wherever arteries and veins exist. The ones that form ...

2 Aortic Coarctation -- Adult condition

The aorta is the main artery carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. Aortic coarctation is the narrowing of the aorta which slows or blocks the blood flow....

3 Aortic Coarctation -- Child condition

The aorta is the main artery in the heart. It carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. Aortic coarctation is the narrowing of the aorta. This slows or blocks...

4 Aortic Stenosis -- Adult condition

The aortic valve is located between the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body. The aorta supplies blood throughout the body. ...

5 Patent Ductus Arteriosus condition

A patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a type of congenital (present at birth) heart problem. All babies have a small passageway (called the ductus arteriosus) connecting th...

6 Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn condition

Oxygen is needed in every cell of our body. It first enters the body through the lungs. The oxygen is then picked up by the blood flowing by the lungs. The blood brings o...

7 Aortic Stenosis -- Child condition

The aortic valve is located between the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta (the largest artery in the body). Aortic stenosis (AS) is a narrowing of the aortic valv...

8 Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection -- Child condition

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is a rare heart defect. In a normal heart, the blood flows in from the body to the right atrium. It then goes into th...

9 Vascular Ring -- Child condition

A vascular ring is a defect of the aorta and nearby large vessels. The aorta is the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the body. When the aorta and nearby ...

10 Double Aortic Arch -- Child condition

Double aortic arch is a type of vascular ring heart defect. In a normal heart, the blood flows in from the body to the right atrium, goes into the right ventricle, and th...

11 Pulmonary Atresia -- Child condition

Pulmonary atresia is a rare heart defect. In a normal heart, the blood flows in from the body to the right atrium. It then goes into the right ventricle. Next, the blood ...