An Anatomical Study of the Aortic Arch Variations

Abstract

Complications of an open surgery on the aortic arch include ischemic problems, which can be caused by unrecognized variation of its vascular anatomy.The aim of this study was to determine the anatomical basis needed for its surgical procedures.Thirty adult human preserved cadavers, six separate hearts with the aortic arches, images of computerized tomography and aortic angiography were used.The branching pattern of the aortic arch was studied; diameters of its branches and the distance from their origin to the mid-vertebrae line were measured.In 75% of the cases, the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid and left subclavian artery originated independently.66.66% of the remaining variants had two branches, the left subclavian artery and a common trunk which incorporated the brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid.In 22.2%, the arch had four branches which was the left vertebral artery.In 11%, the left vertebral artery arose with the left subclavian artery from a common trunk.There was a significant correlation between the diameters of brachiocephalic trunk and left subclavian artery.A significant strong positive correlation between the distances from the origins of left common carotid and left subclavian artery from the mid vertebrae line was found.The results in this study provide accurate information considered vital for vascular surgery.