Vascular Rings & Slings Flashcards¶
Anki-compatible flashcards for Vascular Rings & Slings board review.
Q: What is a vascular ring? A: Anomaly where the aortic arch and its branches completely or incompletely encircle and compress the trachea and/or esophagus Tags: vascular-ring, definition
Q: What are the classic symptoms of a vascular ring? A: Stridor (inspiratory), dysphagia, recurrent respiratory infections, "barking" cough, feeding difficulties Tags: vascular-ring, symptoms, high-yield
Q: What is the most common complete vascular ring? A: Double aortic arch (both left and right arches present, usually right dominant) Tags: vascular-ring, types, high-yield
Q: What is the most common type of incomplete vascular ring? A: Right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left ligamentum arteriosum Tags: vascular-ring, types
Q: What is a pulmonary artery sling? A: Left pulmonary artery arises from the right pulmonary artery and courses between trachea and esophagus, compressing both Tags: vascular-ring, pa-sling, high-yield
Q: What CXR finding suggests vascular ring? A: Right aortic arch (trachea deviated to the left rather than normal rightward position) Tags: vascular-ring, cxr, diagnosis
Q: What is the best imaging modality to diagnose vascular rings? A: CT angiography or MR angiography - shows anatomy and relationship to airway Tags: vascular-ring, imaging, diagnosis
Q: What classic finding on barium swallow suggests vascular ring? A: Posterior indentation on esophagus (from aberrant subclavian or ligamentum) Tags: vascular-ring, diagnosis
Q: What is the treatment for symptomatic vascular ring? A: Surgical division of the vascular ring (usually via left thoracotomy) Tags: vascular-ring, treatment
Q: What is the prognosis after vascular ring repair? A: Generally excellent; some children have persistent tracheomalacia requiring time to resolve Tags: vascular-ring, prognosis
Q: What is innominate artery compression syndrome? A: Innominate (brachiocephalic) artery compresses anterior trachea - causes "reflex apnea" spells in infants Tags: vascular-ring, innominate-compression
Q: What is the typical age of presentation for vascular rings? A: Infancy to early childhood; symptoms worsen with respiratory infections Tags: vascular-ring, presentation
Q: What congenital heart defect is associated with vascular rings? A: Right aortic arch is associated with TOF (25%) and truncus arteriosus Tags: vascular-ring, associations
Q: What airway complication may persist after vascular ring surgery? A: Tracheomalacia - may cause residual stridor until airway remodels Tags: vascular-ring, complications
Q: How does pulmonary artery sling differ in presentation from aortic vascular rings? A: PA sling causes more severe respiratory symptoms (complete tracheal rings may be present); often presents in first months of life Tags: vascular-ring, pa-sling, presentation