Circulation
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This investigation presents additional evidence for the hemodynamic influence of intracardiac anomalies on the development of the aortic arch, based on measurements of different parts of the great vessels. Criteria are given to define the normal aortic arch and the different anomalies of the aortic arch, such as interruption, atresia, tubular hypoplasia, hypoplasia, abnormal long segment and juxtaductal coarctation. Two types of of malignment venentricular septal defects are described to illustrate how prenatal intracardiac flow disturbances can account for various aortic arch patterns. An explanation is proposed as to how reduced blood flow through the embryonic preductal aorta may contribute to the pathogenesis of all dimensional anomalies of the aortic arch.
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A four-year-old boy with a myocardial infarct and total occlusion of the right coronary and the left anterior descending coronary arteries due to mucocoutaneous lymphnode syndrome (MCLS). confirmed by selective coronary arteriography, underwent successful double aortocoronary bypass grafting. Patency of the grafts was demonstrated by graft angiography and the improvement of the contractile pattern of the left ventricle was reflected by the increase in ejection fraction from 0.45 to 0.61. ⋯ However, there are unanswered questions regarding the fate of the saphenous vein graft in relation to the growth of a child. Long-term clinical and angiographic follow-ups are mandatory to determine the significance of this mode of surgical treatment for the sequela of MCLS.