The term “bovine aortic arch” is widely used to describe a common anatomic variant of the human aortic arch branching, regarding the common origin of the brachiocephalic and left common carotid artery from the aorta. This anatomy pattern is not generally found in the cattles and the term “bovine aortic arch” is a common misnomer in the medical literature. Nevertheless we use this term all the time we deal with this kind of arch anatomy. True incidence is not really known and it’s not clear if an incidental correlation exists between this arch anomaly and bicuspid aortic valve with ascending aorta aneurysms or if an anatomic predisposition identifies a sort of syndrome involving the left ventricular outflow tract.

We report the medical records of 3 consecutive patients, with this anomaly, undergone surgical treatment of bicuspid aortic valve pathology and ascending aorta aneurysm under profound hypothermia and selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) through the right axillary artery.

Bicuspid aortic valve affects about 2% of the population and is associated with connective tissue disorder that predisposes to thoracic aorta dilatation and increased risk of aortic dissection and rupture (1). Therefore, the surgery of a pathologic bicuspid aortic valve implies the treatment of ascending aorta and/or arch.

We describe the outcomes of 3 consecutive patients seen with these anomalies treated with the same surgical technique at Cardiac Surgery Unit of Polo Pontino between March and April 2008.

:: Source: Biotechnology BioMed