Which prenatal finding is highly suggestive of interrupted aortic arch?

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Multiple Choice

Which prenatal finding is highly suggestive of interrupted aortic arch?

Interrupted aortic arch shows up on fetal imaging as a lack of connection between the aortic arch and the ductus arteriosus, so the distal aorta isn’t fed directly from the arch. In the fetus, distal systemic blood flow normally relies on the ductus arteriosus, and a continuous channel from the arch to the ductus is expected. When that continuity is absent, it strongly suggests an interrupted arch. The other scenarios don’t fit: a continuous arch with distal systemic flow is normal, a normal 3VT configuration doesn’t indicate an interruption, and ductus arteriosus closure in utero is not the typical prenatal sign of this defect.

Interrupted aortic arch shows up on fetal imaging as a lack of connection between the aortic arch and the ductus arteriosus, so the distal aorta isn’t fed directly from the arch. In the fetus, distal systemic blood flow normally relies on the ductus arteriosus, and a continuous channel from the arch to the ductus is expected. When that continuity is absent, it strongly suggests an interrupted arch. The other scenarios don’t fit: a continuous arch with distal systemic flow is normal, a normal 3VT configuration doesn’t indicate an interruption, and ductus arteriosus closure in utero is not the typical prenatal sign of this defect.

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