Treatment:

Surgery can be done to fix double aortic arch. The surgery separates off the smaller branch of the double aortic arch to relieve pressure on the esophagus and windpipe (trachea).

The surgeon ties off the smaller branch and separates it from the larger branch. Then the surgeon closes the ends of the aorta with stitches.

Expectations (prognosis):

Surgery can treat double aortic arch. Most children feel better right after surgery, although some may continue to have breathing symptoms.

In rare cases, if the arch is pressing down very hard on the airway, the child can have severe breathing difficulty that leads to death.

Complications:

• Failure to thrive
• Respiratory infections
• Wearing away of the lining of the esophagus (esophageal erosion) and windpipe
• Very rarely an abnormal connection between the esophagus and aorta (aortoesophageal fistula)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if your infant has symptoms of double aortic arch.