Interrupted aortic arch in a 42-year-old man / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Interrupted aortic arch is a rare congenital vascular malformation associated with a high mortality rate in infancy, and is therefore very unusual in adults. We report a case of interrupted aortic arch in a 42-year-old male hypertensive patient who was found to have a disruption of aorta continuity distal to the left subclavian artery with massive collateral circulation into the descending aorta by computed tomography angiography. The patient was discharged after the blood pressure was controlled by antihypertensive therapy. This case suggests the necessity of careful auscultation for young patients with hypertension. Once murmur in the chest and back is heard, computed tomography angiography should be performed at once to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.