Branching patterns of the aortic arch: a computed tomography angiography-based study

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the anatomical variations in direct branches of the aortic arch in Jordanians using the contrast Computed Tomography (CT) imaging techniques and to determine their prevalence according to sex. Methods: This analytical, retrospective study included 500 patients (209 females, 291 males), who were referred to the Radio-Diagnostic Department at King Abdullah University Hospital for CT angiography of the aortic arch from 2010 to 2014. Patients were selected using a random sampling method. Results: Six patterns of arrangement of arteries according to their origin from the aortic arch were identified in Jordanians. The most common pattern was the normal classical one and accounted for 61.2 % of cases. All other patterns were considered variations and accounted for 38.8 % of cases. Variation patterns were classified into six different types. There was no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between sex and the occurrence of different types of variations. Conclusion: This study provides new information regarding the prevalence of aortic arch branching variations in Jordanians. A wide range of anatomical variations in the branching pattern of the aortic arch was observed. This should be taken into consideration during angiography, aortic instrumentation, and supra-aortic thoracic, head, and neck surgery.