What does it mean to have a right-sided aortic arch?

What does it mean to have a right-sided aortic arch?

Epidemiology. A right aortic arch occurs when the aortic arch traverses over the right bronchus instead of the left bronchus (which defines a left aortic arch). Embryologically, this develops when the right dorsal aorta persists and the left dorsal aorta regresses.

How common is right-sided aortic arch?

A right-sided aortic arch is thought to occur in approximately ~0.1% (range 0.05-0.2%) of the population.

Which side is normal aortic arch?

While the left fourth primitive aortic arch forms the adult aortic arch, the right fourth generally disappears, resulting in the normal course of the aorta arching to the left and descending to the left of the spine; however, if the left fourth arch disappears and the right persists, a right aortic arch develops.

Where is the right aortic arch located?

What is it? Right Aortic Arch (RAA) is a type of aortic arch variant defined by the way in which the aortic arch travels to the right of the trachea. The aorta is the main artery that delivers oxygen rich blood to the body. The aortic arches form from the aortic sac and develop into several pairs of arches.

What is the treatment for right aortic arch?

How can it be treated? The majority of babies with isolated RAA will not experience problems and no treatment is required. Surgery is offered for those babies who have a vascular ring. The aim of the surgery is to divide the vascular ring to stop the compression of the trachea and oesophagus.

What happens if the aorta is on the wrong side?

If the coarctation of the aorta is severe, your heart might not be able to pump enough blood to your other organs. This can cause heart damage and may lead to kidney failure or other organ failure. Complications are also possible after treatment for coarctation of the aorta.

Is right aortic arch associated with Down syndrome?

Despite both conditions present retroesophageal rings amenable to prenatal diagnosis, Down syndrome (DS) has been associated with left aortic arch plus aberrant right subclavian artery (LAA/ARSA), but not with right aortic arch plus left subclavian artery (RAA/ALSA).

Is right aortic arch a CHD?

A right aortic arch can be associated with other congenital heart defects like Tetralogy of Fallot’s and Truncus Arteriosus. RAA is also associated with chromosomal abnormalities such as DiGeorge syndrome (22q11 deletion).

Is persistent right aortic arch hereditary?

These ring anomalies are sometimes completely benign but sometimes they entrap vital organs with serious consequences1. While these abnormalities are inherited, the exact hereditary mechanism is unknown. The condition is most common in German Shepherds and Irish Setters but can occur in other breeds2,3.

Is right aortic arch rare?

Right-sided aortic arch is rare, with a prevalence among adults of about 0.01%.