Major aortopulmonary collateral artery

Major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (or MAPCAs) are arteries that develop to supply blood to the lungs when native pulmonary circulation is underdeveloped. Instead of coming from the pulmonary trunk, supply develops from the aorta and other systemic arteries.[1]

Pathogenesis and anatomy

Major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs) develop early in embryonic life but regress as the normal pulmonary arteries (vessels that will supply deoxygenated blood to the lungs) develop.[2] In certain heart conditions the pulmonary arteries do not develop. The collaterals continue to grow, and can become the main supply of blood to the lungs. Though it is usually associated with congenital heart diseases with decreased pulmonary blood flow, like tetralogy of Fallot or pulmonary atresia, it may be seen sometimes in isolation (i.e. not associated with any congenital heart disease). In the latter case, it is termed as isolated aortopulmonary collateral artery.[3] In these cases, it may be one of the causes of congestive cardiac failure in neonates.[3]

The pulmonary arteries stem from the right side of the heart and usually carry deoxygenated blood from the body to the lungs. The collateral arteries carry blood which has already been oxygenated by the lungs, so they are of little use in helping the body to get oxygen.[citation needed]

Associated conditions

Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (or Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia) will result in the development of systemic collaterals.

Implications of a systemic collateral supply

Major aortopulmonary collateral arteries come from the systemic circulation. Because of this, they will often have higher pressure than that found in the lungs, leading to pulmonary hypertension. These vessels are not programmed to exist beyond early fetal life, and eventually became narrowed.[2]

Treatment

The aim of treatment of the MAPCAs is to group them together and convert their supply to deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart.

References

  1. ^ Maeda, Eriko; Masaaki Akahane; Nobuyuki Kato; Naoto Hayashi; Hisao Koga; Haruyasu Yamada; Hitoshi Kato; Kuni Ohtomo (2006-06-01). "Assessment of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries with multidetector-row computed tomography". Radiation Medicine. 24 (5): 378–383. doi:10.1007/s11604-006-0037-y. PMID 16958418. S2CID 26206131.
  2. ^ a b Boshoff, Derize; Marc Gewillig (2006). "A review of the options for treatment of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries in the setting of tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia". Cardiology in the Young. 16 (3): 212–20. doi:10.1017/S1047951106000606. ISSN 1047-9511. PMID 16725060. S2CID 30970579. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  3. ^ a b Mohammed Ashfaque Tinmaswala; Pallavi P Saple; Arpita Gupta; Prachi N; Nitinkumar A; Kaba Amin (2015). "ISOLATED MAJOR AORTOPULMONARY COLLATERAL ARTERY CAUSING CCF IN A NEWBORN: A CASE REPORT" (PDF). International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences. doi:10.5958/2319-5886.2015.00090.9. ISSN 2319-5886.