What is “interrupted aortic arch”?

Interrupted aortic arch, also known as IAA, refers to the interruption of continuity between the ascending and descending aorta, which is a rare congenital vascular malformation and accounts for about 1% of serious congenital heart disease in infants. Therefore, early detection and early treatment are very important. Isolated IAA is extremely rare and is often combined with a ventricular septal defect. During the first two days of life, symptoms of hypoperfusion and congestive heart failure may occur due to ductus arteriosus closure. The infant may present with weakness, fatigue, difficulty feeding, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and low blood pressure saturation. Severe shock may occur, manifested by pale, florid skin, wet and cold, oliguria, and a weak pulse. Patients with this disease often die in infancy. In recent years, early diagnosis and timely administration of prostaglandin E to the child have stabilized the condition and bought time and created conditions for surgery. Surgery is the only way to treat this disease, and more than 90% of children survive after surgery.