A vascular ring without compression: double aortic arch presenting as a coincidental finding during cardiac catheterisation

Perioperative and Anesthetic Considerations in Vascular Rings and Slings

Vascular rings represent an increasingly prevalent and diverse set of congenital malformations in which the aortic arch and its primary branches encircle and constrict the esophagus and trachea. Perioperative management varies significantly based on the type of lesion, its associated comorbidities, and the compromise of adjacent structures. Multiple review articles have been published describing the scope of vascular rings and relevant concerns from a surgical perspective. This review seeks to discuss the perioperative implications and recommendations of such pathology from the perspective of an anesthesia provider.

Double aortic arch presenting with a foreign object in the oesophagus: a case report and imaging diagnosis

In this article, we report a rare case of double aortic arch. The case presented initially with a foreign object in the oesophagus. The patient was a 2-year-old boy, who was referred with primary symptoms of tussis (15 days) and emesis (2 days). He had a history of ingesting a coin. Routine chest X-ray indicated a rounded, metal foreign object in the upper oesophagus. A half-Yuan coin was removed by gastroduodenoscopy. Echocardiographic imaging suggested that the patient had double aortic arch, which was subsequently diagnosed by CT angiography with three-dimensional reconstruction. The right subclavian artery arose from the right loop of the double aortic arch. The left subclavian artery as well as left and right common carotid arteries had distinct origins from the left aortic arch. Imaging also indicated atresia of the distal left arch. The patient underwent corrective surgery and made a full recovery. Despite the rarity, double aortic arch should be considered when patients present with a foreign object in the oesophagus. Echocardiography and CT angiography can inform the diagnosis.

Natural History of Asymptomatic and Unrepaired Vascular Rings: Is Watchful Waiting a Viable Option? A New Case and Review of Previously Reported Cases

Vascular rings are a rare form of congenital heart disease in which abnormal aortic arch anatomy leads to encircling of the esophagus and/or trachea by the aortic vasculature. Symptoms can develop from this and prompt the need for surgery. A natural history study has been done on mildly symptomatic patients but no such study has been done on asymptomatic patients. We present a case report of three children with asymptomatic vascular rings who continue to receive follow-up without intervention and review all published cases of asymptomatic or unrepaired vascular rings. Clinical observation of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic vascular rings, regardless of aortic arch anatomy, seems to be a safe approach. Children with mild symptoms almost invariably seem to have resolution of their symptoms by four years of age.

A rare type of double aortic arch diagnosed by echocardiography in an asymptomatic 9-year-old patient

A case of double aortic arch with an atretic left arch distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery was suspected by echocardiography (ECHO) in an asymptomatic 9-year-old girl and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The authors report their ECHO findings, which could be an important diagnostic tool for symptomatic patients because confusion exists in the literature regarding the differentiation of the aforementioned rare malformation from a right arch with mirror image branching. The authors support their ECHO proposal with an explanation based on the hypothetical double aortic arch plan set by Edwards.

Adult presentation with vascular ring due to double aortic arch

This is a case report on the use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose vascular ring due to double aortic arch in an adult presenting with an abnormal chest X-ray. The experience in this case and the literature review identify the benefits of using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to clarify complex aortic arch anatomy.

Asymptomatic balanced-type double aortic arch in an elderly patient: a case report

Double aortic arch is a congenital abnormality and sporadic cases have been reported in adult patients, who are usually diagnosed after complaining of asthma-like symptoms or swallowing difficulties because of the compression of the trachea or esophagus by the abnormal aortic arches. We present the case of a 67-year-old male patient with double aortic arch, found coincidentally during coronary angiographic examination.