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Interruption of the Aortic Arch

Part of the Aorta is absent and this leads to severe obstruction to blood flow to the lower part of the body. The ductus allows flow to the lower circulation before birth but as it closes in the newborn period, blood pressure in the lower circulation becomes inadequate and major symptoms develop. Most affected infants develop severe symptoms (difficulty breathing and impaired kidney function) in the first week of life and need urgent surgery. Most affected infants also have a large VSD. Sometimes other defects may be present.

Surgery involves repair of the Aorta and of the associated VSD / other defects. This usually needs to be carried out in the first weeks of life and is difficult and major surgery - though fortunately in most cases the results are now very good.