Unexpected neonatal death caused by interrupted aortic arch, an uncommon congenital great vessel malformation: An autopsy case report

Abstract

A 21-day-old Japanese male infant became inactive and then collapsed unexpectedly. On autopsy, there was no connection between the ascending and descending thoracic aorta. The site of interruption was the aortic isthmus. The heart showed hypertrophy and exhibited intracardiac malformations, including subaortic valve stenosis resulting from posterior deviation of the ventricular outlet septum and ventricular septal defect. The cause of death was diagnosed as prolonged physiological closure of the ductus arteriosus complicated by interrupted aortic arch and followed by assumed ductal shock.

Keywords: Congenital heart disease; Ductal shock; Interrupted aortic arch; Patent ductus arteriosus; Pulmonary hypertension.