Aortopulmonary collateral arteries: a rare complication after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries

Abstract

Collateral vascular arteries from the descending aorta to the pulmonary arteries are uncommon after arterial switch operation. Here, we report the case of a baby girl treated with coil embolization for abnormal blood flow from the descending aorta to the pulmonary arteries after arterial switch operation. A baby girl weighing 1324 g was delivered at 32 weeks 4 days of gestation, and she had D-transposition of the great arteries and a ventricular septal defect. She underwent nitrogen inhalation to reduce pulmonary blood flow before arterial switch operation. After the operation, she presented with left heart failure due to the presence of abnormal blood flow from the descending aorta to the pulmonary arteries, and she was successfully treated with coil embolization. After the treatment, her condition improved dramatically, and she was discharged without any complications.