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Previous studies have reported on variations in branching pattern of the brachial‐axillary artery. These include unusual branching of the thoracodorso‐subscapular trunk and duplication and early bifurcation of the brachial artery. This study observed the branching patterns and symmetry of the brachial‐axillary artery. A sample of 24 donor bodies was examined following dissection. The results show that 30 of the specimens (62.5%) had at least one variation identified in the brachial‐axillary artery and its branches. A total of 12 distinct patterns were observed with 5 of these (42%) expressed bilaterally. The most common variations included: (1) branch to deltoid or superficial back muscles coming from the axillary artery, (18.8%), (2) branch to serratus anterior muscle coming from the subscapular artery (16.7%), (3) circumflex humeral arteries branching off the subscapular artery (12.5%), and (4) branch to teres major muscle arising from the subscapular arteries (12.5%). The results indicate that variations in the arteries of the axilla and brachium are common. The observed patterns of variation in the brachial‐axillary artery are of particular importance in cases of ischemia as routes of collateral blood flow. Knowledge of these branching patterns may also help to avoid potential surgical complication.Grant Funding Source: n/a

In this chapter the essential aspects of anesthesia for repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are reviewed. Subtopics include hemodynamic considerations in TOF patients such as right ventricular hypertrophy, components of TOF, and circulation in the TOF patient. The chapter is divided into preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative sections with important subtopics related to the main topic in each section. Issues discussed that are related to preoperative evaluation include differentiating between cyanotic and acyanotic cardiac lesions, recognizing Tet spells and systemic vascular resistance, and use of antibiotic prophylaxis. Intraoperative topics include induction, onset time of anesthetic agents, and blood therapy. Postoperative care addressed includes extubation, hypothermia, and hypoxia.