Ultrasound diagnosis of double aortic arch with atresia: a clinical case

Abstract

The diagnosis of a double aortic arch (DAA), when both arches are patent, is easily established using modern imaging methods, including echocardiography. In the absence of blood flow in one of the segments of the left aortic arch (LAA), it becomes impossible to obtain an image of it throughout its entire length. This makes the result of the diagnosis of this condition uncertain, since DAA with atresia will visually resemble one of the variants of the right aortic arch. DAA is an absolute indication for surgical treatment, which determines the importance of differential diagnosis of these conditions. We describe a case of echocardiographic diagnosis of DDA with atresia distal to the left subclavian artery in a newborn, the first day of life, who was admitted to the intensive care unit for newborns and premature infants due to prenatally detected anomaly of the aortic arch. The purpose of the publication is to demonstrate the key features of visual diagnostics necessary in making an accurate diagnosis.