Coexistence of bicuspid aortic valve, aberrant right subclavian artery and common origin of carotid arteries.

BACKGROUND

Prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and right aberrant sub-clavian artery (ASA) separately is relatively common in general population, and much higher in some disorders. Surprisingly, coexistence of both valve and vessel anomalies has only been reported in single cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2008 to 2016, in a single, high-volume tertiary cardiac centre, patients who underwent chest computed tomography (CT) for various reasons, were retrospectively screened for the presence of right ASA.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients with either right or left ASA were identified by CT. Among them 7 cases of BAV and right ASA coexistence were identified. Additionally, 1 case with coexisting common origin of carotid arteries (COCA) was visualised in this subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

Although coexistence of ASA and BAV has not been reported in paediatric population, it has been diagnosed in very few adults as well as in our series. Additional presence of COCA in this group seems to be very rare. From practical point of view, heart cannulation via the radial artery and subsequent ASA may be challenging. Similarly, COCA presence may have surgical implications during corrective procedures.