Prenatal diagnosis and perinatal outcomes in aortic arch developmental abnormalities

Objectives
To describe the ultrasound findings, perinatal outcomes and the pre and postnatal echocardiographic correlation of fetuses and newborns with diagnosis of aortic arch anomalies in a maternal-fetal referral centre.
Methods
Descriptive and ambiexpective cohort study of pregnancies with prenatal diagnosis of aortic arch anomalies. Clinical records of pregnant women, newborns, pre and postnatal ultrasound records were reviewed. Research approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee.
Results
The study included 29 fetuses, the aberrant right subclavian artery was found at 38% (11/29), right aortic arch at 35% (10/29); aortic arch hypoplasia at 24% (7/29), interruption of the aortic arch and the common origin of the brachiocephalic trunk and the common left carotid artery, each at 4% (1/29); no cases with double aortic arch were identified; there were no fetal deaths; 38% (11/29) were identified in isolation, all cases with aortic arch hypoplasia were associated with heart defects; 17% (5/29) had extracardiac malformations. 17% (5/29) required surgery in the neonatal period and the mortality recorded was 17%.
Conclusions
Aortic arch anomalies constitute a heterogeneous spectrum of congenital malformations isolated or associated with cardiac or extracardiac defects; echocardiographic evaluation of the three-vessel and trachea view, laterality of the ductus arteriosus and the branching pattern of the supra-aortic trunks in 2D and with colour Doppler allows a more precise diagnosis and should be included in all ultrasound evaluations.