VARIATIONS OF BRANCHES OF AORTIC ARCH IN NORTH INDIAN POPULATION: A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC STUDY

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Hema Nagpal, Senior Resident, Department of Anatomy, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India. Phone: 91-9999072711 E-Mail: hemanagpal30@gmail.com Background: The major branches of arch of aorta are the great ways for blood supply to the head and upper limb.The aim of this study was to observe the variations in branching pattern of aortic arch and correlate it embryologically and clinically. Materials and methods: Computed topographic images of aortic arch region from 110 patients were studied retrospectively. Out of 110 patients, 62 were male and 48 female and were of 3 month to 75 years age. The images were reviewed for normal and variant anatomy of aortic arch and the results were analyzed statistically. Results: Normal branching pattern of AA was observed in 61.81% (n=68) of cases. In 27.27% (n=30) cases a common trunk originated from the aortic arch that gave rise to brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid artery and second branch was left subclavian artery. In 10.89% subjects (n=12) left vertebral artery (LVA) was an additional branch apart from three normal branches of AA. LVA had different mode of origin in these cases. Conclusion: A variant of origin and course of a great vessel arising from the aortic arch is of great clinical value, because lack of knowledge of these variations may lead to serious surgical complications while doing procedures in the superior mediastinum and root of neck.