Interruption of the aortic arch: clinical features in 20 patients.

The clinical and laboratory findings of interruption of the aortic arch are described. These infants present with a clinical picture similar to preductal coarctation of the aorta. Only by angiography can the diagnosis be established. Prompt recognition and diagnosis of interruption of the aortic arch is important, since palliative and corrective operative procedures are currently available. Without operation, death usually occurs in infancy.