Prenatal Diagnosis of Double Aortic Arch: Associated Findings and Postnatal Clinical Outcomes

Objectives: The aim of this study is to share our experience in the prenatal diagnosis and characteristics of double aortic arc and neonatal consequences.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 2153 fetal echocardiography reports between 2014 and 2019 years. Records of 14 fetuses with double aortic arc were examined. Prenatal and postnatal medical records, sonographic images, genetic reports, associated cardiac and extracardiac anomalies, and neonatal clinical results of affected fetuses were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: DAA was isolated in 9 of 14 (64.2%) cases, while the other five cases had cardiac or extracardiac accompanying ultrasound findings. Three of cases (21.4%) were associated with other heart pathologies, including ventricular septal defect, double outlet right ventricle, and persistent left superior vena cava. In 10 cases (71.43%), the right aortic arch diameter was dominant. The left aortic arc was dominant in two cases and both arcs were symmetrical in the remaining two cases. 22q11 microdeletion was the only chromosomal abnormality and was detected in two of nine patients who accepted genetic analysis. Intrauterine fetal death occurred in two of the cases. After birth, in 58.3% (7/12) of the live born cases various degrees of symptoms. Surgical repair was performed with the division of the aorta to all symptomatic cases at different times according to severity of the complaints.

Conclusions: Since it can cause severe respiratory distress in the postnatal period and may accompany chromosomal anomalies, it is important to provide antenatal diagnosis of double aortic arc and adequate counseling to the family.