The role of echocardiography in diagnosis and management of double aortic arch

Objective To evaluate the role of echocardiography in diagnosis and post-operative evaluation of infants and children with double aortic arch. Methods Echocardiography was performed in 6 patients with double aortic arch from January 2006 to June 2008. The outcome of postoperative follow-up was also evaluated. Results Six patients ranged in age from 3 months to 4 years and averaged 18 months. There were 2 boys and 4 girls. Echocardiography diagnosed double aortic arch in 4 patients, one balanced arch and 3 right arch dominant, and was confirmed by surgical observation in each patient. The size of the two arches were almost same in balanced arch,and the diameter of right arch was bigger than that of left arch in right arch dominant. Echocardiography failed to diagnose in 2 patients with balanced arch. Three patients had associated heart defect, such as patent ductus arteriosus and ventricular septal defect. Five of the 6 patients underwent surgical division of the left arch in order to relieve esophageal and tracheal compression. At about 2 years postoperative follow-up,echocardiography can clearly show the flow of aortic arch and it's branches. Conclusions It is an important clue to double aortic arch if only two branches of aortic arch was shown on supersternal view by echocardiography. As a non-invasive techniqe, echocardiography is useful for diagnosing and post-operative evaluating of patients with double aortic arch. Key words: Echocardiography;  Cardiovascular abnormalities;  Double aortic arch