Right aortic coarctation and ventricular septal defect: an unusual cause of tracheal compression in infancy.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Acyanotic congenital heart diseases may occasionally present with tracheobronchial obstruction. Increased pulmonary blood flow against a high-resistance pulmonary bed may create significant pulmonary artery dilation. METHODS: We report an unusual case of ventricular septal defect and right aortic arch coarctation, complicated with distal tracheal compression secondary to a pincer effect created by a right aortic arch and a massively dilated pulmonary artery. RESULTS: High index of suspicion is required to anticipate tracheobronchial compression in acyanotic congenital heart diseases. CONCLUSION: Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is an invaluable tool to assess for tracheal compression relief following surgical repair and to identify tracheomalacia prior to extubation.