Interrupted Aortic Arch

Nancy McDaniel M.D.

The heart in this defect has four chambers and four valves. There are two main defects.

1. The main artery to the body (aorta) is divided into two parts. The first part is normal. The second part is connected to the lung artery by a blood vessel that is normally found only in babies before they are born (ductus arteriosus).
2. The second defect is a hole between the pumping chambers (ventricular septal defect).

Children with this defect are usually sick soon after birth with poor color and difficulty feeding.

1. Interrupted aortic arch
2. Ventricular septal defect
3. Patent ductus arteriosus

Normal Heart