What are the effects of interrupted aortic arch in babies?

An infant with this anomaly is usually quite sick immediately after birth, with compromised flow to the lower body due to the normal closure of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

If steps are not taken to keep the PDA open, no blood flow will make its way past the obstruction, causing the heart to fail.  In addition, there will be compromised blood flow to other vital organs, resulting in damage to liver, kidney and intestines.

Interrupted aortic arch usually occurs with other cardiac anomalies, such as ventricular septal defects, patent ductus arteriosus, transposition of the great arteries, aortic stenosis, truncus arteriosus, bicuspid aortic valve, and atrioventricular canal defects. The prognosis and treatment for the patient with IAA will be affected by the presence of any associated defects.

Interrupted aortic arch is commonly seen as a result of a genetic chromosomal microdeletion, often referred to as DiGeorge syndrome. Patients with DiGeorge syndrome can have cranio-facial, immune and electrolyte abnormalities in addition to their congenital heart disease. Patients with interrupted aortic arch should be evaluated by a geneticist to determine if they have DiGeorge syndrome.