Three aortic arch anomalies: a review of the literature and proposal of a new classification.

Four patients with three rare aortic arch anomalies, all of which can be classified as variants of Edwards' hypothetical double aortic arch system, were studied. The diagnosis was based on angiographic findings in all cases and, in addition, on operative findings in all cases and, in addition, on operative findings in three and operative and autopsy findings in one case. All normal and anomalous variants of aortic arches may be incorporated into a new classification based upon Edwards' hypothetical double aortic arch system. In the new classification the term double aortic arch with types A, B, C, or D atresia or interruption of the left or the right arch covers all known arch anomalies. The types A, B, C, and D refer to the site of atresia or interruption of the hypothetical double aortic arch model in relationship to the ductus arteriosus and brachiocephalic vessels.