Unusual Aneurysm of a Cervical Aortic Arch Surgical Repair Improves Fluid Dynamics

Anglese S, Varrica A, Saracino A, Conti M, Frigiola A, Lo Rito M. Unusual Aneurysm of a Cervical Aortic Arch: Surgical Repair Improves Fluid Dynamics. World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg. 2023 Oct 18:21501351231196516. doi: 10.1177/21501351231196516. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37853733. 

Abstract

The cervical aortic arch is a rare congenital vascular abnormality related to the anomalous development of the aortic arch. We present the case of a 6-year-old patient with a large aneurysmal cervical aortic arch who underwent surgical correction and arch reconstruction. Surgical repair was indicated based on the risk of progressive dilation and rupture, aiming to restore correct geometry and hemodynamics. We evaluated preoperative and postoperative hemodynamics using computational fluid dynamics simulations, and we also identified, within the repaired region, an area that remains affected by greater turbulent flow, requiring follow-up surveillance.