VARIATIONS OF AORTIC ARCH BRANCHES IN FULL TERM FOETUSES
Author: A. HIMABINDU, B. NARASINGA RAO
Category: Anatomy
Abstract:
The aortic arch is a challenging site for endovascular repair. The relationship of the arch of the aorta and its branches are embryologically determined and are found to be highly variable. This makes the arch of the aorta more vulnerable to injury during the surgical manipulation of the heart, lungs and the great vessels. The arch anomalies produce tracheo-oesophageal constriction, which accounts for 1%-2% of all congenital heart defects. This study would provide an anatomical basis to assist surgeons in performing safe vascular surgery involving the aortic arch, and its branches in cases in which stenting is used as an adjunct to balloon angioplasty for the treatment of both stenotic and occlusive lesions of the supra aortic trunks.
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Keywords: aortic arch, brachiocephalic trunk, right subclavian artery, left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery, vertebral artery.
